“Moreoever he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
1 Timothy 3:7
Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 3 together spell out clear standards for men in church leadership. As I have been studying the specific verses on leadership this week, one point particularly caught my attention. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 adds a couple of character qualities that we do not see in a similar list in Titus. Consider verse 7 and the emphasis on having a good testimony among those who are outside the church. In applying this to ourselves, are we consistently the same in character and behavior whether we are at church, at home, or in the marketplace? The genuineness of our trust in God becomes evident, or not, by our demeanor when we are not at church. For many years I have been challenged by the concept that who we are at home is who we really are. This high standard for church leaders should encourage all of us in living every moment of our lives consistently closely with the Lord.
I’m looking forward to a great time of discussion this Thursday morning and I’m planning for you to be part of this encouraging class.