In this part of the letter to Timothy, Paul is telling Timothy the attributes required for those wanting to be leaders within the church. And leaders need to remember that their congregation, members of their community will be looking-up to them regardless of their beliefs. And most people will fail to remember that their leaders are fallen human beings and liable to sin.

Reading how leader’s children are to behave reminded me of Moses sermon in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 with Moses telling his listeners on how they are to teach their children of ‘The Greatest Commandment’ “⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”. [ESV] If we have been following Moses instructions, it will give our children a strong foundation for their lives. Some children may reject Christ’s offer of Salvation, and in these situations all leaders can do is pray and continue to live their lives in a holy manner.

In verse 16 Paul writes about the ‘The Mystery of Godliness’ and succinctly summaries Jesus’ life, “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” [ESV] Paul in this verse is reminding Timothy (and us) that throughout Jesus’ life fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophecies, vindicating all that had been said.

We all need to remember this passage and not just leaders within the church, as we are Christs ambassadors 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” [ESV] Our families, neighbours, work colleagues and friends will see how we live our lives, and if we live our lives as a drunkard, living in sin, gossiper etc. they won’t respect us as they will be seeing us live our lives in a duplicitous manner. Which may result in them not readily trusting other Christians who may come into the lives, sharing the good news.

This coming week, take time to analysis your life, how do you live within your home, at work, within the community. Would people be able to accuse you of living a duplicitous life? Tony Campolo said on Meet the Canon (J John) “there are many believers of Christ within the church, but not many followers of Christ”. Does your life project you as a believer or follower of Christ?

All Bible verses and links have been taken from http://www.biblegateway.com