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Posted on January 11, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

Christian leaders should be examples.

James 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

What does the Bible have to say about this?

Peter is writing in I Pet. 5:1-3 “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being example.”

In I Tim., Paul has many instructions to those who are in positions of authority in the church. Focus on 4:12b… “in speech, conduct, faith and purity, show yourself as an example of those who believe.”

Job is suffering his loss of all of his children, possessions and animals and is covered with boils. He has three friends who come to “encourage” him but end up accusing him. Eliphaz the Temanite speaks to him:

Job 4: 3-6: “Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.

Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed. Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?”

In other words, practice what you preach. (Job was, but his accusers would not admit it.)

“Let him who is without sin throw the first stone.” (John 8:7) I do not want to throw stones; I have many flaws. If you knew everything about me you would not read one word I write. But I also ask myself how clearly we are obeying these guidelines (commands?)? If we followed this precisely, could we listen to anyone?

How many pastors, teachers, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, Christian musicians, etc. do we know or know of who are divorced, remarried, admitted to sexual or financial sin, on computer pornography, proud, boastful, arrogant: and the list goes on?

Thank God for forgiveness and healing. We need it. We need to admit that we all have a bent towards sin and too many times yield. We also need to properly, biblically, restore our brothers and sisters into fellowship and leadership. If we are waiting for the perfect, sinless teacher, there will be no teacher!

May God help us, and very specifically help those in ministry, to be what we claim to be.

Can you look up to those who minister to you as examples?

Written by Rev. Neil Fitchthorn Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.

The Daily Bible Reading:  Genesis 27-28; Romans 9:16-33 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.” -Thomas Morell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.  – Genesis 2:7

 

 

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