PODCAST
Respect The Children
January 14th, 2013
1 Timothy 3:1-13
According to 1 Timothy 3, to be a leader in the church is to demonstrate holiness, especially in the family. The rhetorical question Paul asks Timothy is quite revealing: “How can a person hope to effectively manage a church if she or he cannot manage his or her home and family?” (1 Tim. 3:5, author’s paraphrase).
Holiness of life is tested in the home where the true self is exposed for all family members to see. If we are to be like Christ, holy in all we are, say, and do, then this must be demonstrated to those closest to us. The marriage covenant must be honored. Love, encouragement, discipline, and instruction of children are essential to their spiritual growth. The witness of the family to the community in hospitality and compassion is also vital.
This faithfulness to covenant within the family is framed with mutual respect: the leader’s respect for his family and the church, the family’s respect for the leader, and the church’s respect for its leader. Disrespect in any relationship negates effective, fruitful ministry.
Author: Eva R. Geddes
January 14th, 2013 at 5:09 pm
“Holiness of life is tested in the home where the true self is exposed for all family members to see.”
In Luke 12:53, Jesus tells us that the family will be divided against each other (possibly due to that true self being exposed); but more importantly for placing God and His Will first, and foremost, in our personal life.
The Christian family doesn‘t get to escape the squabbles that happen behind the closed doors of the family unit. The “test” is to handle those resolves with love and the fruits of the Spirit – reaping training for our spiritual battle against the world in which we are to put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13-15).