Is it possible to be right and still be wrong?  A Christian who is on the right side of an argument can still be wrong by lacking compassion.  In his letter to Gaius, John is concerned about a local leader in the church named Diotrephes who seemed to lack an attitude of love.  It appears that Diotrephes did not welcome traveling missionaries into his church.  Hospitality was essential to the culture in that time period.  When people traveled, it was expected that strangers would open their homes and provide a place to stay for the travelers.  And it was expected that a local church would welcome traveling missionaries and other outside leaders into their church.

When you read this short letter to Gaius, it appears that Diotrephes was more concerned about protecting his authority within the church than living with a Christian attitude.  This can still be a serious issue within the church today.  There are pastors who are more concerned about enforcing what is right among their congregation, than living the right way.  They fail to express grace and mercy while being obsessed that their members follow their church rules.  They may be right on many issues, but they fail to live out the commandment to correct with gentleness and to have compassion for others.

However, this is not just an issue with church leaders.  How easy is it to win an argument and lose a relationship? It appears that Diotrephes had other issues besides lacking hospitality.  He was talking bad about other Christians, lacked humility, and appeared extremely controlling.  It is possible to be on the right side of an argument and at the same time appear arrogant and use destructive words for the purpose of inflicting damage.  Be careful!  John states that a person is imitating evil when he uses these tactics.  Even if you believe it is for the right reason. 

Read 3 John  (It is the shortest book in the Bible, so it is easy to read.)