What does God expect of us? In the year 2000, with a pandemic raging and people rioting across the nation, more than one of my friends said “this is a time for action,” by which they meant violence.
I disagreed. When I need to understand culture and current events, I ask myself a pair of questions: what would my father or grandfather think? What would the deacons I know think? These are the two wisest men/groups of men I’ve ever known. I want to think and act wisely also.
Paul sends Titus to appoint elders to serve as pastors and deacons. Paul tells Timothy the traits to look for while selecting men to fill these critical roles:
Appoint “one who is blameless, the husband of one wife [and not divorced], having faithful children that are not accused of wildness or rebellion. For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it…. Older men are to be levelheaded, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance” Titus 1:6-9; 2:2.
What kind of men does God choose? Violent men? Men who embrace strange ideas and conspiracies? No.
God is EXTREMELY CHOOSY about church leaders.
(Did you notice the behavior of the man’s children is actually a consideration? Why do you think that is?)
God is looking for men (and women!) who are blameless, faithful, humble, patient, generous, loving what is good, AND committed to the message as taught…. Do you have those traits? Do I?
Finally, consider these traits when you encounter social media. Stop fighting. Be patient, be quiet, or just put the phone down and stop filling your mind with evil and strife. Be sensible in your reaction to social media and current events.
Ask yourself WWWMD: what would wise men do?
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Household Words: 