I Solemnly Charge

6/23/2009

1 Timothy 5:21 21 "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality." NASB

Paul seems to be saying, “Timothy, whatever you do, do it as if in the presence of God and whatever you do, don’t just appoint the ones you seem to get along with – it may come back to bite you if you do.”

As Paul saw the Spirit of Christ at work in Timothy, he was teaching Timothy to look for the same evidences in the lives of potential leaders; ah, but the solemnity of the oath – why so serious?

Churches are supposed to grow, thrive and last. Through the community of believers is God’s abundant gifting for unlimited success; eternity is at stake! So whatever we do for (or against) the church needs to be done as if in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels to maintain the integrity, effectiveness and endurance of the church. It is serious business with eternal ramifications.

I think about the choosing of me by those who sent me to pastor a local church – where I no longer pastor. I think about the mistakes I made and the consequences of those mistakes for which I will have to answer some day. I think about starting a home church and trying over. I think about what it will look like and for what reason I want to do it. I want to do it for the growth, integrity, effectiveness and endurance of the church. I think about the Church in China where believers have to be extremely careful to choose leaders with extreme caution. I think about those trying to worship Jesus Christ in the Middle East and the efforts they have to go through to protect themselves so that the churches may grow, thrive and survive. It’s coming to America and I need to be ready as do others. But God has given us everything we need to do things His way and I will cling to that and receive Paul’s solemn charge, “…in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.”

Father in Heaven,

Strengthen Your servant to do this for the rest of his days on earth – he prays in Jesus’ Name, amen.