SUNDAY February 12, 2023
Do You Have a Good Reputation?
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over
this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6:3-4
A leader in the church must be a person of good character––having a good reputation. In the book of 1 Timothy, we find another long list of character traits for those holding an office in the church:
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, [a new believer] lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless … Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
If you serve in the church, you must have a good reputation both inside and outside of the church. Study this lengthy list in 1 Timothy 3, and ask the Lord to develop your character in any of these areas you are lacking.
The Christian life means putting off the old character of the world and putting on the character of Christ.
~Jim George~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
