Open the Bible UK Daily

“The younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.” Luke 15:13 Jesus told a wonderful story about repentance: A son takes his inheritance, goes into a distant country, and wastes everything he has on riotous living. But eventually the bottom falls out of his life, and he ends up scratching out a living on a pig farm. Then he comes to his senses, and says, “I will arise and go to my father” (15:18). So he begins the long journey home. When he sees the house on the horizon, he notices someone running toward him. It is his father, who has been watching every day, longing for the boy’s return. The father hugs and kisses him, and he places a robe on his back and a ring on his finger. He calls his servants to kill the fattened calf and orders a celebration. Why? Because of his joy. If there’s joy in it for the father, there must be joy in it for the son. He may feel unworthy. He may feel embarrassed, but think about the change in his life. A short time ago he was eating with the pigs, now he is feasting on a calf! Repentance is the hidden path to a transformed life. That’s good news! Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. What is the good news? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat. 3:2). Repentance is good news! Real, lasting change is possible because God has come near to you in Jesus Christ. When was the last time you experienced joy and repentance together?

“There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 What is your reaction to the word repentance? We come from many different backgrounds, and your reaction will tell you a great deal about what you think repentance is. For some of us repentance sounds heavy! If that’s your reaction, it probably means that you think of repentance as beating yourself up. A lot of people have that idea. If that’s what you think about repentance, a month of devotions on this theme is probably not very inspiring: I feel bad enough about myself already! But, if you continue to think of repentance as beating yourself up, you won’t be able to hear what Christ says to you about the change He wants to bring in your life. You have to get rid of that baggage, and the place to start is with a question: If repentance is beating yourself up, then why did Jesus say that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents? If repentance is beating yourself up, how could the angels have joy in it? If the angels found joy in human misery, they would not be angels, but devils. So, when Jesus tells us that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, He makes it clear that whatever repentance is, it is not beating yourself up. It is not a journey of sustained misery. It is not an odyssey into self condemnation or regret. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, and if there is joy in it for heaven, there is joy in it for you. Do you think it is possible that God intends joy for you in repentance?

Keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ... 1 Timothy 6:14 One day we are going to see Jesus Christ. The day will come when your faith will be turned to sight. This is an amazing promise. A few verses later, Paul reminds us that God “dwells in unapproachable light” (6:16). God is not hidden in unapproachable darkness, but in unapproachable light. Our problem is not that we can’t find God. It is that we couldn’t come near Him if we did! All through the Bible, we find that people at their best are unable to stand in God’s presence. When Isaiah saw God’s glory, he said, “Woe is me! For I am lost” (Is. 6:5). And when the apostle John saw the glory of Christ, he “fell at His feet as though dead” (Rev. 1:17). If the best of humanity in the Old and New Testaments are on their faces in the presence of God, how do you think it will be for us when the Son of God comes in His glory and all His holy angels with Him? Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mat. 5:8). And John, who fell at Christ’s feet as if he were dead, said, “When he appears… we shall see him as he is” (1 Jn. 3:2). How is this possible? It is possible because the Son of God loved us and gave Himself for us. He bore our sins in His body on the tree. It is possible because the Holy Spirit unites us with Christ through the bond of faith. And it is possible because the risen Christ advocates for us in the presence of the Father. You were bought by the precious blood of Christ and called to the blessing of life under the rule of the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal, who lives in unapproachable light, to whom be glory and dominion forever, Amen (6:16). Whatever you are facing today, reflect on the hope you have in the coming of Jesus Christ. Whatever you are facing today, reflect on the hope you have in the coming of Jesus Christ.

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus… to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach. 1 Timothy 6:13-14 The command mentioned here seems to be what Paul says in the preceding verses. There is a character to pursue, a battle to fight, and a life to gain. A character to pursue “As for you, O man of God... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (6:11). John Stott says that steadfastness, or endurance, is patience in difficult circumstances. Gentleness is patience with difficult people. A battle to fight “Fight the good fight of the faith” (6:12). The world will always reject Christ, and those who proclaim that Jesus is Lord will always be in conflict with the unbelieving world. A life to gain “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (6:12). Notice the language: “Pursue… Fight… Take hold of…” The Christian life will be a struggle. Calvin says that self-indulgence springs from the Christian’s desire to serve Christ as if it were a leisure activity, but Jesus calls His servants to warfare. Where do you find the energy for this struggle? Sometimes it is hard to keep going. Too many disappointments, too many unanswered prayers, too many failures. You feel run down and you get weary. How do you find the strength to endure the demands of this Christian life? When Paul gives Timothy this charge, he says, “In the presence of God, who gives life to all things…” (6:13). He is saying, God will give you the energy you need for this. He sustains your life. He will give you strength for each day. In what battle do you most need God’s strength today?

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.Pursue righteousness… 1 Timothy 6:11 The tenth distinguishing mark of a gospel-centred church is gospel hope. Timothy had been given overwhelming responsibilities. He was a young man, and he was leading the church in Ephesus. This was a massive responsibility. We know that by temperament, Timothy was timid (2 Tim. 1:7). He was not confident by nature. He must often have felt that he was in over his head, out of his depth, and at the end of his rope. Maybe you know what that feels like too. How do you sustain what God has called you to do year after year? Where do you find the energy to live a godly life when everything is pressing in on you? How do you keep going when you feel overwhelmed, with discouragements on every side? Paul ends this letter with some much-needed encouragement for Timothy. Paul was writing under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. God knows what His people need. He knew what Timothy needed then, and He knows what you need right now. Paul speaks to Timothy by name earlier (6:20), but he doesn’t do that here. He says: “As for you, man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness” (6:11). Paul says, “Timothy, remember who you are. You are ‘God’s man.’ I want you to think and speak and act and live as God’s man because that is who you are!” What about you? Every man who is in Christ is “God’s man.” Every woman who is in Christ is “God’s woman.” When God speaks to believers, He speaks to us not as we are by nature, but as we are in Christ. You are God’s man, God’s woman. Be who you are. How does it encourage you to know that God speaks to you not as you are by nature but as you are in Christ?

As for the rich… charge them not to… set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 Paul speaks of two kinds of hope here. Some people set their hope on “the uncertainty of riches,” others “on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” These are very different kinds of hope. When God gives you more, you need to develop a holy discontent with the things of this world. And the more God gives you, the more important this practice becomes. Jeremiah Burroughs says, “One who is contented in a Christian way… is the most contented man in the world, and yet the most unsatisfied… Though he is contented with God in a little, yet those things that would content other men will not content him.” This is the opposite of what you would expect. The world is discontent with less and says you will find contentment with more. God says learn to be content with less and to be discontent with more. Paul says that people who are rich in good deeds, generous, and willing to share are “storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (6:18-19). When you have less, cultivate the art of contentment. When you have more, cultivate the art of discontent. Set your heart on enjoying what God gives you and using what God gives you in the light of eternity. Are you learning the art of contentment when you have less? Are you learning to have holy discontent when you have more?

Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 Notice, Paul says that godliness with contentment is not just gain, but great gain. If you have godliness with contentment, it will be of huge advantage to you. Why? Paul gives four reasons. He says, “If getting rich is your goal…” 1. You cannot keep what you gain “We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out” (6:7). You may get rich, but you cannot stay rich. You cannot keep what you gain in this world. 2. You will encounter powerful temptations “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (6:9-10). If you set your heart on money, you expose yourself to powerful temptations that ruin many people. 3. You may wander from the faith “It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith” (6:10). In the Parable of the Sower, our Lord spoke about seed choked by thorns. The seed is God’s Word. The thorns are “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things” (Mk. 4:19). Money chokes the fruit of God’s Word in the lives of some people. 4. You will experience great sorrow “It is through this craving that some have… pierced themselves with many pangs” (6:10). Learn the art of contentment. This rare jewel is not found when you have more but when you have less. Bring your desires down to the level of your possessions. Learn to enjoy what God has given more than you grieve what He has taken away. When have you experienced one of thesefour dangers in your own life?

Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 The ninth distinguishing mark of a gospel-centred church is gospel lifestyle. Paul speaks to “the rich” (6:17) and to “those who desire to be rich” (6:9). So there’s something for those who have less and something for those who have more here. Paul says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (6:6). Contentment is finding joy in what God has given to you. The opposite of contentment is greed. Luther makes the point that greed destroys your capacity to enjoy what God has given. Contentment grows over time. It does not come quickly, easily, or naturally. Paul says, “I have learnt… to be content” (Phil. 4:11). How did he learn it? He tells us: “I have learnt the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (4:12). He is saying, “There were times when I had plenty. But then God brought me to situations where I was in need. And through that, I learnt something: I discovered the secret of being content.” God used the experience of loss to produce the good fruit of contentment in Paul’s life. Jeremiah Burroughs described contentment as “a rare jewel.” How can you find joy in what God gives you, especially when that is less than you had before? Burroughs says, “A Christian comes to contentment, not so much by way of addition as by way of subtraction.” Contentment does not come by adding to what you have, but by subtracting from what you desire. The world says that you will find contentment when your possessions rise to meet the level of your desires. Burroughs says, “The Christian has another way to contentment, that is, he can bring his desires down to his possessions.” Have you discovered the secret of being content?

The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgement, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. 1 Timothy 5:24–25 All of us serve in the light of the coming judgement. God sees all things. Nothing is hidden from Him. But people are not always what they appear to be, and that is why we should exercise caution in appointing leaders. Paul says, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (5:22). Don’t be hasty in appointing people to positions of leadership. Get to know them over time. Here are a few reasons why… “The sins of some people are conspicuous.” Some people are obvious sinners—you can see the pattern of destruction in their lives. “The sins of others appear later.” Others are secret sinners—behind what you see is a life filled with all kinds of evil. “So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden” (5:25). Some good works are immediately recognised and praised. Others are known only to God. But just as God sees and will judge secret evil, He also sees and will reward the hidden good. William Barclay’s comments on these verses are helpful, “There are some whose good deeds are plain for all to see, and who have already won the praise… of men. There are others whose good deeds have never been noticed… never thanked, never praised, never valued as they ought to have been. They have always been taken for granted.” If that’s you, remember, God sees what others have missed. Jesus said that even a cup of cold water given in His name will receive its reward. The judgement of God that should bring fear to those whose sin is secret should also bring comfort to those whose good deeds are hidden from view. Are you feeling unappreciated today? Take heart. God sees and rewards what others have missed.

Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 1 Timothy 5:19–20 There are two important points here: Good leaders need to be protected from bad people. Good people need to be protected from bad leaders. Protection for good leaders Godly leaders will always be under attack from the enemy. Calvin says, “None are more exposed to slanders and insults than godly teachers. They may perform their duties correctly and conscientiously, yet they never avoid a thousand criticisms.” The pattern is always the same. Some story goes around. Then people say, “There’s no smoke without fire.” Martin Luther said that there are two evils here: promoting rumours and untruths, and being willing to believe the evil and not the good. Satan works havoc in the church through these things, so elders must restrain them. Accountability for bad leaders Leaders who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that others may take warning (5:20). Paul is talking about a leader who harms the church by his sin, and he says that the elders have a responsibility to hold leaders accountable. Pastors are called to lead, and the church board holds them accountable for their leadership. A fellow elder or church warden might say, “We’re looking for a pastor, but we don’t want anyone telling us what to do.” Sometimes it is because elders or wardens want to run things themselves. Sometimes it is because they have been hurt by an authoritarian pastor. If you were bitten by a rottweiler, it’s not surprising that you might be drawn to a poodle. We don’t want poodle pastors, and we don’t want rottweilers either! We want leadership and accountability, trust and submission. These are good gifts from the Lord, and we should be thankful for them. What role might you play in protecting good leaders from bad people or protecting good people from bad leaders?

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 The eighth distinctive of a gospel-centred church is gospel leadership. Gifted and godly leaders are a sign of God’s blessing on a church. A local church depends in large measure on the character and competence of its leaders. Notice what is being said here about leadership in the church: “Let the elders who rule...” It is the special calling of pastors and elders to give direction to the church. Notice that direction does not come from one individual. (That would be coercion.) Nor does it come from everybody in the congregation. (That would be confusion.) Direction for the church comes from those who have been tested and then trusted to serve as leaders. (That brings cohesion.) “Especially those who labour in preaching and teaching.” A gospel church is always a church under the Word of God. The ministry of the Word and the direction of the church belong together. We must be serious about living out what God calls us to do and about letting God shape our lives and our church through His Word. “Worthy of double honour.” This means, first, that we are to respect those who have been trusted with leadership. And Paul says that those who serve well are worthy of double honour. Some churches have given such emphasis to the priesthood of all believers that they have lost sight of God’s particular call to pastoral ministry. So is it right to hire a pastor? Absolutely Ministry advances through God’s people under the leadership of those who are called by God and recognised by the church to devote themselves to this work. How could you help ensure that the leaders of your church are treated with the honour due their God-given role?

Let a widow be enrolled if she… [has] a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 1 Timothy 5:10 Paul speaks about widows who are to be recognised, honoured, and supported (5:3). But he also speaks about widows who are to be enrolled or registered on a list (5:9). The qualifications for being on this list are different from the qualifications mentioned earlier: • Age: over sixty (5:9)• Fidelity: “the wife of one husband” (5:9)• Ministry: “a reputation for good works” (5:10) It seems that this list is not a register of people receiving support but of people offering service. Here were a group of older people who offered dedicated service to the Lord through the church. If you have brought up children, opened your home, helped folks in trouble, and devoted yourself to good deeds, your experience is a gift you can give in ministry to others in your golden years. As one elderly saint put it, “Who said that the dream is to make enough money so that you can go off somewhere with no responsibilities and spend your golden years on yourself? That’s not my dream.” Now here is a fresh new definition of retirement: getting a new set of tires to keep rolling in the service of Christ! If you are over sixty, here’s a word of encouragement: Get a new vision of your golden years as the most useful years you can offer to Christ. What do you hope to do with your last yearsbefore you see your Lord?

Care for those who are truly widows. 1 Timothy 5:16 There will be genuine need in the church. Paul emphasises this three times. “Honour widows who are truly widows” (5:3).“She who is truly a widow…” (5:5). “Care for those who are truly widows” (5:16). How do we know who to help and who to support? The Bible is a wonderfully practical book, and Paul shows us the path of wisdom through two principles: 1. God’s first provision is through the family “If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household” (5:4; see also 5:8, 16). Three times in this passage, Paul makes it clear that God’s first provision for a person in need is through the family. Caring for ageing parents and grandparents isn’t easy, but it brings joy to the heart of God. God said “Even to your old age… I will carry you” (Isa. 46:4). And when you care for an ageing loved one, you reflect the heart and the promise of God. 2. God’s first priority is a godly life “She who is truly a widow… has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives” (5:5-6). Paul describes two kinds of widows, one who puts her hope in God, and the other who lives for pleasure. The church should not give in a way that supports or enables an ungodly lifestyle. So here are two practical questions to consider: What provision has God made for this person? What commitment has this person made to God? There will be times when God provides through the kindness of His own people. Responding to the promptings of the Spirit so that a person in need experiences God’s provision is a wonderful ministry that glorifies Him. Who will experience the help of God through your kindness this week?

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 The seventh distinctive of a gospel-centred church is gospel compassion. Paul is urging the church to cultivate a culture of caring and serving. The Bible is full of God’s compassion for His children, especially those who do not have others in this world who care for them. Listen to the testimony of Moses: “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing” (Deut. 10:18). An entire book of the Bible is given to the story of three widows, Ruth, Orpah, and Naomi, and how God provided hope and a future for them. One day Jesus saw a crowd gathered around a widow whose only son had died: “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her” (Lk. 7:13). Literally, “He was moved to the core of his being.” By His divine power, He raised the young man to life and gave him back to his mother. The Gospels are full of the affection of Jesus for those who have the least in this world. From the earliest days, this ministry of compassion has been a distinguishing mark of faithful churches. In Acts 6, we read about a daily distribution of food to widows in the church, and here in 1 Timothy, we have half a chapter devoted to this marvellous ministry. If you are a widow or are struggling with the unique pressures that come to a single mother, know that you have a special place in the heart of God. Ask God to give you His heart of compassion for those in need around you.

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 Many people are confused about how to live the Christian life. Two misunderstandings have caused much of this confusion. 1. The “hard labour” version says: “We toil and strive.” This version says that the Christian life is one great effort to try and live a godly life. Many people live here. There is no power or energy working in them. There is very little joy. These folks have an air of defeat. They secretly feel that it is impossible to live a godly life. 2. The “no labour” version says: “We have our hope set on the living God.” This version says, “There is nothing we Christians can do. We have to let go and let God.” Many people live here. They become passive. They do not fight against sin. They say, “It’s all up to God.” And they sound spiritual but they do not make progress. 3. The “gospel life” version says: “We toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God.” Gospel life is the active pursuit of godliness through the power and presence of Jesus Christ in you. “I engage in this struggle. I press on toward the prize with hope because Jesus Christ lives in me.” You believe in Christ. You know He has mighty power. But perhaps He seems like a friend far away. You feel defeated. You feel that you are fighting alone. You lose hope. You need to hear the gospel. Jesus Christ is not saying to you, “I will be your powerful friend, but you need to fight your own battles.” He is saying, “I will engage in this fight with you. I will be your Saviour!” Are you more likely to follow the “hard labour” or “no labour” or “gospel life” version of the Christian life?

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed onin the world, taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 Godliness—a God-centered life—is not a system or a programme. It is a person. The mystery of a fully God-centered life lies in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The mysteryof godliness is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is godliness in the flesh. He has lived the God-centered life. And our hope of living a godly life is in Him. Jesus Christ is the object of our faith and the sourceof our life. Most of us get the first part of that. But let’s focus on the second. Being a Christian is more than believing in Jesus. It is the life of Jesus Christ in you by the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks about “the word of God fully known”—that is, everything God has for you—“the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints… Christ inyou, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:25-27). Christ in you! Faith is more than believing Christ. Faith unites us with Christ so that we are in Him and His life is in us. Faith possesses Christ. Faith receives Christ (Jn. 1:12).Faith feeds on Christ (Jn. 6:54). Christ is your life, and “your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3-4). Jesus gave us a wonderful illustration of this: “I am the vine; you are the branches” (Jn. 15:5). Godliness is in Him and godliness flows from Him. It grows in us as we grow in Him. Jesus Christ is the mystery of godliness. That means your hope of godliness is found in Jesus Christ. How would you explain in your own words that Jesus Christ is the source of your godliness?

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness... 1 Timothy 3:16 The sixth distinguishing mark of a gospel-centred church is gospel life. How are we to make progress in character and competence? How are we to become the kind of people who will be effective in getting God’s global mission done? Godliness (a God-centred life) is the central theme of 1 Timothy 4. “Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (4:8). How can we live a godly life? First, we must beware of false paths to godliness. Paul says, “Some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (4:1). How do these demons lead people away? “Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared” (4:2). The work of demons is advanced through false teaching in the church! Paul gives a specific example: They “forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods” (4:3). The early world was saturated with sex and food. Life was about the body. Not much has changed. You can see how some people would say, “Since there is so much sin bound up with sex and food, we are against that. Deny yourself and you will become more godly.” But Paul says, “That’s completely wrong! It’s a false path to godliness. You can’t love God more by enjoying life less.” Paul reminds us that “everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (4:4). Ask God to give you discernment about false teachings that might lead you away from a godly life.

“An overseer must be… able to teach… He must manage his own household well… He must not be a recent convert… He must be well thought of by outsiders.” 1 Timothy 3:2–7 Paul outlines three areas of core competence for church leaders: doctrinal, personal, and spiritual. Doctrinal: able to teach “An overseer must be… able to teach” (3:2). “[Deacons] must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (3:9). Not all elders will be preachers. But they must grasp the truth and be able to apply it to their own lives and the lives of others. They must be able to refute false doctrine (1:3). It is the special calling of elders and pastors to make sure that the Word of Christ is central in the church. Personal: able to manage “He must manage his own household well” (3:4). Every home has pressures and problems. The key is a man’s ability to manage his own life and to give leadership to his own family. An effective leader begins by learning to manage his own family well. Are his finances well managed? Is his home well ordered? Do his children respect him? Spiritual: able to stand “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up… He must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil” (3:6–7). Paul identifies two primary pressures in spiritual warfare: First, pride is the enemy within. Do you know the grace of God enough to handle success with humility? Second, disgrace is the enemy outside. Satan wants leaders to fall into public disgrace so that he can use it to harm the church. You may be wondering, “Who is sufficient for these things?” Christ may never call you to be an elder or deacon. But He can form the character and competence of an elder or deacon in you. Ask God to help you pursue the character and competence that will be most useful to Him.

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. 1 Timothy 3:2-3 What kind of people should we trust and follow as leaders? Here are three traits to look for, cultivate, and thank God for. Wise judgment “Sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable… not a drunkard.”Look at the decisions in a person’s life. Do they bear the marks of wisdom? Look at what a person has said or done and the positions they have taken in times of difficulty. Do you see wise judgment? Usefulness in serving others flows from effectiveness in controlling yourself. Healthy relationships “Not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome.” An elder cannot be weak. He must be able to confront, but he must have compassion and sympathy that reflects the spirit of Jesus. Some people carry conflict within them. They stir up trouble. So look at a person’s relationships. Do you see gentleness? Or do trouble and conflict follow them? Moral integrity “The husband of one wife… not a lover of money.” This does not mean that a person has to be married to lead. A person must be celibate if single and faithful if married. Aleader must also be faithful with finances. The most obvious evidence of this is that he is a generous giver. The effective Christian leader is marked by sexual and financial integrity. It is sometimes said that character is what you are in private.That’s only half the story. The character of a Christian leader is both private and public. It includes being “above reproach” (3:2) and being “well thought of by outsiders” (3:7). Thisis more than a private holiness of the heart. It’s the way our lives are seen by others. How do you see these traits reflected in your leaders?How can you cultivate them in yourself?

If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1 The fifth distinguishing mark of a gospel-centred church is gospel character, that is, the character and competence of a Christian leader. Most of us are not called to be an elder or a deacon, so you may wonder, What does this have to do with me? Here are three answers: 1. Discernment: What to look for The biblical pattern is not to make people leaders and then hope that they will rise to it. It is to look for people who show the character and competence of effective leaders. What should we look for in the leaders we elect, the pastors we call, and the missionaries we send? 2. Direction: What to aim for Every Christian should cultivate a desire for maximum usefulness to Jesus Christ. Should you do theological training? Should you be in full-time ministry? Should you serve overseas? The first things to pursue are right here in 1 Timothy. They will make you a better parent, business leader, teacher, or volunteer. These are the qualities God seeks in the life of every Christian. Maybe you have not been able to do what you wanted to do. You would like a second chance. Jesus came to restore what was lost, and to recreate what was destroyed. What we learn here can be your future even if it has not been your past. Perhaps God will ignite a desire in you to maximise your usefulness for Christ and a passion to move in that direction. 3. Gratitude: What to give thanks for If your church leaders follow the principles of 1 Timothy, do not take this for granted. Ask God to increase your thanksgiving for His abundant goodness in the gift of godly leaders. How might God be prompting you to maximise your usefulness for Him?