The Threefold Witness of Good Character
	In Third John verse 12, the apostle references a brother in Christ who has excellent Christian character. Nothing else is said of him except in this short verse. We don’t know how old he was, what he did for a living, or anything about his family. All we know is what this verse reveals. But what it reveals is powerful; it raises the bar rather high and challenges us meet that standard.
	The verse begins by saying, “Demetrius has a good testimony . . .” That is to say, he possessed the good character that all of us are to have. He wore the name of Christ well.
	The remainder of the verse sets forth the three-fold witness of Demetrius’ good Christian character. Here is the entire verse: “Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.” The same three witnesses still testify today of just who we really are. Let’s look at them individually:
	1) Society bears witness of our character. Demetrius had a good testimony “from all.” The same should be true of us. If someone took a survey of every person with whom we had contact in a given week, what would be said of us? Would we be noted as gruff, or friendly? dishonest or above board? inattentive or helpful? uncaring or loving? worldly or spiritual? The world is watching, and will testify of our true character! Peter wrote, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11, 12).

	2) Scripture bears witness of our character. Demetrius had a good testimony “from the truth itself.” The gospel is the standard of truth, and it bore witness that Demetrius walked in the truth. How about us? Are we living, walking Bibles? We must trust its words, follow its truths, and proclaim its message! The Bible is still the standard by which we will be judged (John 12:48). If your Bible could talk, what would it say about your true character? Would it say that you read it, know it, love it, and live it? “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).
	3) Saints bear witness of our character. Demetrius also had a good testimony from the apostles, for John wrote, “and we also bear witness.” His fellow-Christians had much good to say about Demetrius. What a testament to an active, helpful, harmonious, and loving brother in Christ! If the saints were interviewed about you, what would they say? Would they use words like Paul used in Romans 16 of some faithful brethren in the church at Rome: “fellow-worker; beloved; approved in Christ,” etc.?
	Paul wrote that Timothy’s character had been “proven” (Philippians 2:22). What has you character proven according to Society, Scripture, and the Saints? Do you have “a good testimony” like Demetrius did?