SCRIPTURE: Amos 4-6; Ps. 86; Tit. 1
Titus 1:5-9 I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.
OBSERVATION: Paul outlines some basic traits for leaders within the church. Whether or not this was about those appointed to wider roles of leadership or merely those who taught and led in smaller groups, this passage applies to me.
The list is long:
- be well-thought-of
- be committed to his wife
- have believing children
- have children who respect me and stay out of trouble
- be “looked up to”
- not pushy
- not short-tempered
- not a drunk
- not a bully
- not money-hungry
- must welcome people
- be helpful
- be wise
- be fair
- be reverent
- have a good grip on himself
- have a good grip on the Message
- know how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it
APPLICATION: I need to work on some of these things. Right now, we’re beginning the Love Dare book that goes along with the movie Fireproof. I’m also working on having a good grip on myself. I think Paul means that in terms of self-control and self-awareness, so that will be an ongoing process for me. Above all, I’m dedicating myself to using the truth properly.
PRAYER: God, grant me the insights to see myself as others do, but more than that, help me to see myself the way you see me–and the way you would have me to grow and become; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Recent Comments