Essentials

DEVOTION
1 TIMOTHY
ESSENTIALS
1 Tim 3:6-7
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
NIV
I certainly do not fall into the category of being a recent covert as I have been a Christ follower since 1973. That is an astonishing thirty-eight years which has been filled with miracles one after another. It also has been enough time to know that having God use me in any leadership role is an awesome and humbling experience. There can be absolutely no conceit as I am painfully aware of the imperfection of the human condition. What person who has been called by God to any position of leadership could ever think it is because he has become a perfect man and thus be filled with conceit. I can understand how someone who has just accepted Christ might think he is special because he has been called into leadership. But after a few years I think the realization of his human condition would certainly dispel any thoughts of conceit. After all these years I am very aware I have within me not a shred of ability of my own. All that I am is because of my Lord and Savior, not that I am much. But what I am is because of him. Now I am not sure exactly what I am in that sense of being any kind of leader. I know I carry concerns regarding rightly dividing the word and the amount of false teachings which are infiltrating the body of Christ. Now if my concerns are shaping up as a portion of leadership than it is due to the direction of the Holy Spirit. I do wonder at times if I have a good reputation with outsiders. I think with some I do and maybe with some others I may not. Maybe those on the do not side are those who are in sharp disagreement with the word of God. Although some who still are in disagreement have a certain affinity toward me. I think maybe the point here is that I am to have a reputation with outsiders. That is I am not to shut myself up within the four walls of Christianity among just the fellow believers, but I am to be out and about among the outsiders being the salt the light and the mirror reflecting Christ to those who have not yet accepted him. If I am to be any kind of leader of other believers than I am to lead in this area as well is the point I think this is making. Those outside the church must see a humble servant of God in any person who is in any role of leadership within the church. The arrogance of some who seek after a massive group of followers and broadcast their feel good messages are far beyond what I believe is true leadership as outlined here. That may be judgmental but I believe as a leader I should expose those wolfs in sheep’s clothing. A humble heart and a good reputation are essentials.