Pray:
Lord, lead me on the path of intimacy with You. I want to know Your heart and walk with You in truth.
Read:
1 Timothy 3:8-13
Reflect:
Do you hold to the deep truths of the faith?
God loves us more than we can imagine. That's why he expects so much of church leaders (5). They take on the same kind of role for us that Christ himself had (1 Pet. 2:25)--"pastoring" and "overseeing."
Notice that the leader characteristics listed here sound pretty much the same as those in verses 2-7. This time, though, they are for "deacons," or people with special, practical, or supportive ministry responsibilities, and their wives or possibly women deacons (11). In fact, the standards really apply to anyone in Christian leadership. Deacons "must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith" (9). This relates to what was said earlier about "overseers"--they should be "able to teach" (2). They should stick to believing and teaching God's big plan to save the world through Jesus.
The fledgling Christian church needed to pass on the truth about Jesus and about living for him. Whether the church in our part of the world is growing or is in decline, the same passion for biblical truth will keep God's people strong in their faith and outstanding in the witness of their lives.
Apply:
Thank God for Christian leaders who have lived well and have been faithful to teach God's truth.
Pray:
Lord, I lift my heart to You. I pray for Your power in my life, so that I may join You in transforming the world.
