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Author: Alex Kilpatrick, from the Work of Christ in Lansing, Michigan.

Character, Not Connections

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul describes what a Christian leader should be like. He writes, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore 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 3:1-3)

Most people who aspire to qualify for a certain job think about certain things in order to improve their chances: honing their relevant skills, looking for connections with important people they can use as references, beefing up their resume. But in the Lord’s eyes, the most important qualification for someone who aspires to be a leader isn’t capabilities or connections - it’s character. The list of qualities Paul describes paints a picture of a person of mature Christian character, someone whose faith has had a concrete and lasting impact on how they conduct themselves in everyday situations. How can you invite the Lord into your challenges today (both small and great) and allow him to form you into the character of Jesus Christ? How can he make you ready and equipped to take to on the responsibility of leadership given to a mature son or daughter of God?

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.