If all the people who know you were asked to describe your character, what words would come up most often? Would they call you gentle, hospitable, sober-minded, and blameless? These are a few of the qualifications Paul listed for church leaders. They’re also good qualities for every Christian to develop. If you are a military leader, this is great advice as well.
“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, 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 3:2–7, NKJV).
Paul said it was important for those representing the church to have a solid reputation among outsiders. You may not realize it, but people are watching you. They may ridicule you for being a Christian, but they also hold you to a higher standard. They make assessments about you and your faith based on what they observe in your life.
People need to see Jesus in you. You don’t have to be perfect, of course. But if you hope to make an impact for Christ, you must reflect His character in your work ethic, attitudes, relationships, words, and actions.
The content of this article comes from “The Warrior’s Bible” (2014) and is copyrighted by Life Publishers International. Used with permission.
