21-Aug-2024 – Do you have a desire to serve the LORD?
This is a true saying: If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. – 1 Timothy 3:1
In this chapter, Paul teaches Timothy about the preparation for the offices of bishop (or elder) and deacon. This guidance can apply to any office in the church and to any service of the Lord within the church. Today, our main focus is on the desire to do the work of the Lord in any capacity. If we have this desire, then our prayers must be focused on some important points.
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” – 1 Timothy 3:2
“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;” – 1 Timothy 3:8
These two verses provide the personal character requirements for holding office. One must be blameless. But what does it mean to be blameless? It means being free from responsibility for any fault or wrongdoing. If someone blames me, they are holding me responsible for a fault or wrong. In this sense, being blameless can seem difficult because the devil is always accusing us, and we could also be blamed without any supporting evidence. So how do we deal with that?
This is where the rest of the qualities mentioned in the scripture come into play. The first is to be the husband of one wife. In ancient times, having multiple wives was socially acceptable. Even in some cultures today, though polygamy may not be encouraged, divorce and remarriage can be easy. However, the Word of God clearly instructs that, except in cases of adultery, a man should not leave his wife. This requirement emphasizes the importance of understanding the covenant in marriage. The relationship between parents and children is natural by birth, but the relationship between a husband and wife is established through a marriage covenant. This helps those desiring office to grasp the concept of the covenant in Christ.
Next, the bishops must be vigilant, and the deacons must be grave. Vigilant means being attentive and watchful, while grave means being serious and responsible. Both qualities can be summed up as being responsible and accountable. These are crucial aspects for anyone seeking to serve in the church of the Lord. When someone is responsible, they take ownership of the task at hand. If they are not responsible, they will not take ownership, and thus, will not contribute anything good. If they are not accountable, they will not monitor, verify, or correct their actions.
There are other qualities to meditate on, but for today, let us focus on these three aspects: First, understanding the value of the covenant in marriage. Second, having a sense of responsibility. And third, maintaining a sense of accountability. Whether we are willing to serve in the church or not, we all have a common work to do, which is to be testimonies for the glory of God. Therefore, we all need to practice these three qualities.
Let our prayers today be focused on these three aspects. Let us ask the Lord to help us be faithful to our covenants, to have a sense of responsibility in our work, and to be accountable for the resources and opportunities given to us.
Prayer:
Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for encouraging us today to have a desire to work for You. You have called each of us to be testimonies for Your glory and to glorify Your name. Help us to focus on the three areas You reminded us of today, and help us to set right our relationships and outlook. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
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