To Be...Referenced Well
March 14
Friday night, my husband headed to a nearby funeral home to attend the visitation for a friend's father. The crowd was staggering and the wait long to offer condolences and remember a man, who loved the Lord and his family. As people had the time to speak, they were able to reference this man very well, because of the way he had lived.
"He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer." Acts 10:1-2
Listen as Paul references a high standard for leaders in the church.
"An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity...and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or food or sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience....Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own household. 1 Timothy 3:1-12
How does one live like that? God doesn't call us to do it on our own sinful accord. He equips us with the Holy Spirit and lays out in His Word specific steps to take.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
I love how Paul goes on to say in this book, don't think more highly of yourself than you should! God's the one who creates us, calls us and equips us. No need to get puffed up or we will soon be falling down.
A wonderful epitaph could be written for some of my favorite people from Romans 12:9-18
They lived without hypocrisy, hated what is evil and clung tightly to what is good. They were devoted to others in brotherly/sisterly love, giving preference to them in the way they honored them. They kept on keeping on, praised and served the Lord with enthusiasm. They rejoiced in hope, persevered in the tough times and prayed and prayed and prayed. If a fellow believer needed help they were Johnny on the spot and they offered hospitality without grumbling. Come on in y'all!
How 'bout some sweet tea?
They held their tongues from hurtful words and learned early how to bless even those who were hateful to them. If you had a reason to celebrate, they were right there beside you with their pom poms, jumping for joy, but when the tears would come they handed out tissues for both of you.
There was nothing snooty about them. They knew the names of the baker, the butcher and the UPS man! Never once did I hear of them paying back evil for evil, but instead they were fence menders wishing everyone would live at peace with one another.
They were people who pointed others to Jesus.
