Now, Titus was supposed to appoint elders. In 1st. Timothy 3:1 it says that anyone wanting to be an elder, "desires a noble task". So I guess we should all want to be one or at least be able to qualify to be one. I know that I don't like the idea of being involved with all the politics of church, but it is nice if someone thinks that I would qualify as one. Maybe I would turn it down, but it sure feels good to be asked. It's probably safe to say that we should all have these qualities listed for the elders.
I love how the list starts out with an easy one; "an elder must be blameless." Oh yeah, I can do that! Well, thank goodness that word doesn't mean perfect or spotless. It really means above reproach. It's not like they don't make mistakes; they just make it right, seek forgiveness, and try not to do it again. If someone continues in that same behavior; then they probably would not be blameless. Then he goes on to name some of those blameless things like: "not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain." Basically, not a Cretan. At least they can't act like one. That list reads like a resume for a Cretan.
Now, it would have been hard for the Cretans to change the behaviors that they have grown up with, and that they haven't really thought of as wrong. Talk about "everybody's doing it," that is really a fairly true statement here. So how do we fix that? How do we stop doing something that we are in a pattern of doing? What if I want to serve God so bad, but I just can't seem to change. I know that God loves me "just as I am" but how can I be better than I am to serve Him better?
Just like the Cretans, we have to change the way we think. We can't be thinking, "I've always done it like this" or "this is just the way I am." In Romans 12:2 it says, "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." We have to change our brains; transform the way we think. It may have seemed okay before, but now we know better. Now we need to do better.
But how?? How do we stop doing what we have always done? It's near impossible to just quit. People don't just quit smoking. They use some gum or a patch. I remember my brother would chew on Popsicle sticks until they were nothing but splinters. The point is that you have to replace it with something. No, not Popsicle sticks, but that is why Paul gives us a different kinda list in verse 8. It says to be hospitable, one who loves what is good, self-controled, upright, holy, disciplined. The first part about the elders is the "to don't" list, but now he gives us the "to do" list. It's like a part 2 of the "above reproach" thing.
I'm not sure I buy into the theology of Thumper (if you can't say somethin nice; don't say nothin at all). That just leaves me angry and leaves the situation wide open for a repeat performance (that I will still want to say something not nice about, but probably a lot louder!!). I think a better saying would be, "If you can't say something nice; then say something else nice." Or, "Don't be hatin; be lovin." An elder has to be above reproach. It isn't enough to just "Don't," they have to "Do." We have to "Do."
Think about how Joseph handled his many oportunities to "not say something nice." I mean his brothers beat him up, threw him in a pit, and sold him as a slave. I can think of some choice words for that situation that would probably shed the hair right off of Thumper, But Joseph handles the "Don't" part by not saying something mean. He doesn't stop there however; he takes things "above reproach" by becoming the best slave ever. Then he gets falsely accused by Potipher's wife, and thrown in jail. Again he "Don't" say bad stuff and he "Do" become the best prisoner ever.
Just like the Cretans, we have to change the way we think. We can't be thinking, "I've always done it like this" or "this is just the way I am." In Romans 12:2 it says, "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." We have to change our brains; transform the way we think. It may have seemed okay before, but now we know better. Now we need to do better.But how?? How do we stop doing what we have always done? It's near impossible to just quit. People don't just quit smoking. They use some gum or a patch. I remember my brother would chew on Popsicle sticks until they were nothing but splinters. The point is that you have to replace it with something. No, not Popsicle sticks, but that is why Paul gives us a different kinda list in verse 8. It says to be hospitable, one who loves what is good, self-controled, upright, holy, disciplined. The first part about the elders is the "to don't" list, but now he gives us the "to do" list. It's like a part 2 of the "above reproach" thing.
I'm not sure I buy into the theology of Thumper (if you can't say somethin nice; don't say nothin at all). That just leaves me angry and leaves the situation wide open for a repeat performance (that I will still want to say something not nice about, but probably a lot louder!!). I think a better saying would be, "If you can't say something nice; then say something else nice." Or, "Don't be hatin; be lovin." An elder has to be above reproach. It isn't enough to just "Don't," they have to "Do." We have to "Do."
Think about how Joseph handled his many oportunities to "not say something nice." I mean his brothers beat him up, threw him in a pit, and sold him as a slave. I can think of some choice words for that situation that would probably shed the hair right off of Thumper, But Joseph handles the "Don't" part by not saying something mean. He doesn't stop there however; he takes things "above reproach" by becoming the best slave ever. Then he gets falsely accused by Potipher's wife, and thrown in jail. Again he "Don't" say bad stuff and he "Do" become the best prisoner ever.
And then we have to consider what Jesus had to say about the whole Thumper issue. In Matt. 5 we find a phrase used over and over that says, "You have heard it said..." Then it lists some kind of "Don't." Don't Murder, don't say RACA, Don't Commit Adultery, Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth. Then he gives the "above reproach" stuff. Don't be angry, Don't say fool, Don't even look at a woman with lust, and if someone smacks you, offer the other cheek. If someone sues you for your coat, give him your shirt too. In verse 20 he tells us that, "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees..." The Pharisees were usually on top of the whole live by the rules (follow the "Don'ts") thing. We should want better than that. We have to want better than that. They will know we are Christians by our love. Not love for a brother or love for a friend; how would that make us stand out? We are called to love our enemies!! That's over and above. That's how we should roll. That is Living "Above Reproach."
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