Select Honorable Leaders
Read the Text: 1 Timothy 5
Memorize the Text:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6, CSB)
Consider the Text: 1 Timothy 5:17-25
The apostle Paul detailed the importance of treating the elders in the local body with respect and honor. He recognized them for working hard at preaching and teaching and challenged the church to support them well. As the apostle continued to detail the importance of honoring the elder, he indicated four vital truths to recognize in selecting an elder. These four traits remain today.
REJECT THE THREAT OF FAVORITISM
Paul charged the church not to select elders and leaders based on personal or family relationships with others. The apostle did not want to see spiritual leaders chosen because they were well-liked in the community or because of their friendships with others in the local body. When favoritism sets in, people begin to justify sin and disqualify the marks of selected individuals.
Today, churches still battle the threat of selecting leaders, elders, and ministers based on favoritism. Often, we call these people becoming chosen because of their popularity. When this dynamic occurs, the spiritual dynamic and evaluation of the individual disappear because the elevation in position occurs because of earthly, fleshly approval. Thus, Christians need to assess why they select specific people for places of leadership.
REJECT THE THREAT OF PREJUDICE
The apostle Paul remained concerned that some individuals deserving of holding a place in leadership and teaching may become overlooked because of earthly prejudice. He considered that social, economic, or even ethnic tensions could lead to an improper rejection. Unlike favoritism, where the unqualified get leadership, bias hinders the qualified from entering leadership.
Today, prejudice remains. Areas of economic, social, racial, and ethnic prejudice continue to paint an image of others. When this mindset enters leadership selection, sin becomes present selection and drives us away from the Lord. Everyone has forms of prejudice that want to appear, and each must strive to overcome the temptation in seeking to follow the Lord’s leading in overcoming this threat.
SEEK TO SELECT THOSE LIVING IN PURITY
The apostle called the church to seek leaders who demonstrated a life of purity. This descriptor does not mean perfect but indicates the pursuit of living in holiness and according to the Lord. In addition, Paul wanted them to seek people living above reproach. Thus, Paul called for questions of purity to be confirmed by multiple witnesses. The idea of purity means the leader deals with known sin and seeks to live in faithful obedience.
Today, leaders need to live in purity and above reproach. This statement does not mean leaders live perfectly because such a life is impossible. Instead, leaders must battle the temptation of impurities and strive to live holy before the Lord. Thus, leaders today seek forgiveness when impurity causes stumbling and seeks to live in purity in every avenue of life.
SEEK TO SELECT THOSE WHO SHOW MATURITY
The apostle called the church to seek leaders who had a mature faith. This call meant that the church needed to select leaders who demonstrated a growing faith and that the individual was not a new believer. The reality of this selection means that the individual has demonstrated a life of discernment and maturity in seeking to follow Christ.
Today, spiritual maturity must be considered in the selection of leaders. Immature believers face temptation in leadership because of the threat of pride, power, and prestige. Thus, selected leaders must demonstrate the longevity of growth in their relationship with Christ. The metric of maturity does not need to come from the body of Christ, but the metric needs to come from the Word of God.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
