Godly and mature leaders required…

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1–7)

This topic is out of my territory except to say how important to have exemplary leaders. How can I be a sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable person without models? My mentor, a lovely woman, was such a blessing. She modeled all that she taught.

However, I recall reading Christian books as a new believer and felt like the people in those books were fictional characters. Thankfully, my husband’s work took us to many places and we attended many churches where it was easy to drop the “fictional” tag because there were leaders who fit the above description.

Yes, there are failures too. Consider how most of the biblical leaders failed too. The only plus side of that is that confession and forgiveness along with cleansing reveals the  merciful grace of God.

Even with that understanding, how important to rely on the Holy Spirit and live as He directs. This is not legalism or any sort of rule keeping. Godliness excludes all hypocrisy. I am thankful for godly leaders in our current church who rely on the Word of God to put priority on the important things. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

This is an incredible goal that draws me and that I long to reach.

Jesus, thank You that Your life in us makes possible the attitudes and qualities necessary to live in such a way that others are motivated to do the same, but not only that, to glorify You.