(3Jn vv. 9-15) Do not imitate evil but imitate good
[9] I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to dominate, does not acknowledge us. [10] Therefore, if I come, I will draw attention to what he is doing, spreading evil nonsense about us. And not content with that, he will not receive the brothers, hindering those who wish to do so and expelling them from the church. [11] Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does what is good is of God; whoever does what is evil has never seen God. [12] Demetrius receives a good report from all, even from the truth itself. We give our testimonial as well, and you know our testimony is true. [13] I have much to write to you, but I do not wish to write with pen and ink. [14] Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face. [15] Peace be with you. The friends greet you; greet the friends there each by name.
[9] I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to dominate, does not acknowledge us. [10] Therefore, if I come, I will draw attention to what he is doing, spreading evil nonsense about us. And not content with that, he will not receive the brothers, hindering those who wish to do so and expelling them from the church. [11] Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does what is good is of God; whoever does what is evil has never seen God. [12] Demetrius receives a good report from all, even from the truth itself. We give our testimonial as well, and you know our testimony is true. [13] I have much to write to you, but I do not wish to write with pen and ink. [14] Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face. [15] Peace be with you. The friends greet you; greet the friends there each by name.
(CCC 1732) As long as freedom has not bound itself definitively to its ultimate good which is God, there is the possibility of choosing between good and evil, and thus of growing in perfection or of failing and sinning. This freedom characterizes properly human acts. It is the basis of praise or blame, merit or reproach. (CCC 1733) The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin" (Cf. Rom 6:17). (CCC 1739) Freedom and sin. Man's freedom is limited and fallible. In fact, man failed. He freely sinned. By refusing God's plan of love, he deceived himself and became a slave to sin. This first alienation engendered a multitude of others. From its outset, human history attests the wretchedness and oppression born of the human heart in consequence of the abuse of freedom. (CCC 1748) "For freedom Christ has set us free" (Gal 5:1).
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