Topic: The Litmus Test [Monday March 26, 2018]
Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-13 (KJV)
Key Verse: “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1).
MESSAGE:
The troubled Egyptian monarch assigned Joseph – the Hebrew slave sprung from prison – to handle the looming famine for “there is none so discreet as thou (Joseph) art”. Several decades later when Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, was listing leadership roles, he spoke of “able men such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” The heathen King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon desired no less.
Now Apostle Paul insists in his inspired epistle that if pagan lords would set such sublime parameters to recruit leaders in their idol-honouring kingdoms, the church of the King of kings deserves far more noble personalities to manage its affairs.
So, leaders in the Church of Christ should not suffer leadership credibility. Those in authority must not be tainted with greet or domestic scandals, nor must they be linked to drunkenness that can destroy their sobriety. Those who are not even of the Christian fold must notice our flawless lifestyle. Our secular activities must be controlled by the rules and regulations of heaven. Our leaders must be well-versed in Scriptures which teaches a one-man-one-wife family of submissive born-again children. The leader must be gentle, patient, selfless, hospitable and accommodating in all seasons. They must be bold to preach Jesus as the only Way to heaven, exhibiting their own redeemed, disciplined state through the grace of God.
These are the virtues the world has lost as a result of forsaking the Bible. The decadence they slide into can only be cured if the bishopric qualifications in today’s reading can be taught through the preaching of the gospel and our challenging lifestyle. The world no longer reads the Bible; but they can read it in the believer who is consecrated to the truth of the word of God.
Thought For The Day: Exemplary lifestyle is key to drawing souls to the Lord.
Bible Reading in one Year: Joshua 12-15
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
 Key Verse: “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1).){kind=link}