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Wednesday, 3 October 2018
They aren't just rules

The instruction given to Timothy by Paul for building the congregation, as well as the attributes of leadership listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 is not new to most of us. However, I wonder if some times we read this strickly as a list of rules which must be kept and checked off. Are we missing the deeper point that Paul was making?

If we look at this list from top to bottom, each attribute separate from one another, we are missing the why of Paul's instruction. For example are temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, not given to wine and not quarrelsome connected in any way? It would be difficult to see someone who is drunk as being sober-minded. It's unlikely that someone who is sober-minded would be quarrelsome. All to often when we look at a list of how we should be it can be threatening especially if we cannot connect the why of it.

I see this as a standard which has been set for us to go by. At the same time we must keep in mind that none of us is perfect. It's a personality and condition of the heart. If we have the desire to see a healthy congregation with healthy leaders we will need Yeshua's Grace and His example. What is that example?

I understand Yeshua's example as one which does not desire, long or yearn for a position. The position is one that we grow into as we serve to do good by building one another up. We accomplish this through understanding our differences. In times of conflict between each other, we do not rush to fix it, but instead guide each person in a way of reconciliation which brings among other things, healing.

The danger of too much too soon when it comes to responsibility is not one judged by physical age but maturity in our walk of faith. Should we find ourselves questioning how this is possible or when will we know who is ready to pick up responsibility within the body, a good guide is that throughout the Word God did not ask, He said go. He gave the order, He sees the heart.

This is taken from the Harvest of Asher Facebook page.

Posted By Guy Cohen, 10:00am Comment Comments: 1
 
 

Wednesday, 3 October 2018
Comment -

Thank you Pastor Guy for Beautiful Jewels of Wisdom.

Posted By Christine Chinen 11:37pm