Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 3:11-13 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Application: Notice as Paul comes to a close on the qualifications of an office in the Body of Christ he points out the benefits that are produced through faithfulness. First, note there is nothing here to do with salvation. The idea that anything we do guarantees or adds to our eternal standing with God is contrary to all that is taught about salvation in the scriptures. It's total grace, void of works. The outcome is twofold; first being, the honor the Body of Christ will bestow on those that serve faithfully. It is important that we understand that the "title" is not what causes the person to be held in "high standing". It is being faithful in the ministry of that "title" that brings the respect and honor to that individual. Second, is a confidence that what we preach is true and therefore we speak with boldness. Remember, boldness is not obnoxious! Our words remain filled with grace, but we say things based on their truth, not our skill. Consider the original here:
Confidence παρρησία parrēsía; from pás, all, and rhḗsis, the act of speaking. Freedom or frankness in speaking. NT meanings: freedom in speaking all that one thinks or pleases (Mark 8:32; John 7:13, 26; Acts 4:13, 29, 31); confidence or boldness, particularly in speaking (Acts 2:29; 28:31; 2 Cor. 7:4; Eph. 3:12; 6:19; Phil. 1:20; 1 Tim. 3:13; Phile. 1:8; Heb. 3:6; 10:35; plainness or exactness of speech (John 10:24; 11:14; 16:25, 29; 2 Cor. 3:12); openness, speaking publbeing in the public eye rather than being concealed (John 7:4 [cf. John 7:10]; John 11:54; Col. 2:15).
Another benefit of this confidence is the assurance of salvation that is produced in the individual. Again, we need to make sure we understand this is not eternal security, God knows who are His, this is that subjective peace that we have that gives us the confidence that we belong to Him. As a person ministers for the Lord in the Body of Christ, the reality that he belongs to God takes hold. How many in the Body of Christ have no such confidence. It is no surprise to me that when an individual does nothing but fill a seat once every week at a building that they do not sense a confidence they belong to God. That's like kissing your wife once a week only and trying to feel in love and married. You have made it Lord that the more involved with You we are, the more we possess that feeling that we belong to You. Thanks Father for the way You have allowed us to confirm our feelings about our adoption into Your family!
Meditation Questions: If no one notices your ministry, how does that make you feel? Hurt feelings are valid, but in the end who’s approval matters most to you? What does that say? When you share what you believe, how sure of it are you? What does that say? Do you “feel” saved? Why? Why not? What are you doing about that?
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