Paul gives some great advice on selecting leaders here. I see his requirements as a challenge to do better.
I would be lying if I said that I measure up to everything Paul wants in a leader. That’s a difficult thing to say, and personally I have seen some men resign from ministry because they couldn’t resolve Paul’s words with their own humanness. While I have some regrets and no shortage of failures (both in ministry and otherwise) I don’t think the Apostle was trying to discourage leaders from continuing to serve. Rather, I think he was simply saying to his protégé “be careful when selecting leaders because as the leader goes, so goes the church”. Better to appoint someone who has heart after God and needs some training than to appoint someone who looks good but doesn’t have the same desire. (I’m thinking of Saul and David).
Can we really say that we are constantly “blameless”? I know such a walk with God is possible, but I often fall short of it. And what control over our children’s choices do we have once they reach adulthood and leave home? Should my father still be held accountable for the decisions that I make today? I hope that he would be pleased with them, but I don’t know if his role as a leader should be hindered if I lack faith.
Paul is going to spend a fair amount of time talking about false teaching in his letters. In this particular example he is reminding Titus that anyone who says “we should submit to Jesus and…..” in order to receive salvation is actually teaching something false. Salvation depends on Christ, and Christ alone. Nothing else we say or do can assist in the forgiveness of sins. Paul will remind his followers of this many times over the course of his ministry. It seems that we are forever trying to add requirements to salvation. Perhaps it’s our human way of trying to exert some control over the message.
Rest today in knowing that God loves you, even if you haven’t achieved everything you desired to do for Him. Your dedicated and humble heart is what He is most interested in, not a flawless performance. Be bold in your defense of the faith, knowing that God will strengthen and enable anyone who leads or teaches others at His bidding.
Uncompromising,
PR