I Timothy 3  In this chapter Paul gives Timothy instructions about leadership roles in the church.  It is very practical.  These are specifically targeted towards pastors, deacons, and deaconesses.. but they also give us insight into character traits that all of us, who call on the Name of Jesus, can and should develop in our own lives.. regardless of any position we have in the church.  As Paul says in verse 15, ".. I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth."  

I Peter 1-2 also addresses the conduct of believers. Peter wrote, "But you are a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God.. " ( 2:9-10)  So, ".. like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;.. " 

Paul's letter gives us the specific details of what holy living looks like:

 We should  ".. be above reproach".  The greek word here is anepileptos - not arrested; inculpable; blameless, unrebukeable.  The Christian who is in trouble with the law or living a worldly, sinful life would not reflect the Light of Jesus in his or her behavior.  Yet, we know that all of us have sinned and fallen short of that standard at one time or another.  Thankfully, we have a Savior who has cleansed us and made us "blameless"!   As new creations in Jesus, filled with His Spirit,  we can now live up to the holy life He has called us to live. 

Paul addresses marriage and family conditions... ".. be husbands of only one wife and good managers of ... children.. " ( v2, 4, 12)  The emphasis here seems to be on moral conduct, dignity, and integrity in the family.  Our marriages are to reflect the mutual love and submission that Christ has for His bride, Paul tells us in Ephesians 5.  A broken home or failed marriage happens even to Christians.  It is not what God desires for us, but it is something that God can redeem us from.  As believers who desire to serve the Lord Jesus, we need to be careful how we conduct ourselves in our own homes, in our own marriages, and in raising our own children.  May we do ALL things for the glory of our Lord Jesus!

Our personalities, our dispositions, and even our emotions are reflections of the Lord Jesus whom we serve.  Paul says that being "temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable..  not addicted to wine, gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money...  dignified, not malicious gossips.. faithful in all things.. "(verses 2-3; 11) are specific attitudes that mark the believer's life. 

Again we can see that the lack of these qualities mar our testimony of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and King of our lives. When we  have a problem with anger, lose our tempers.. or are quarrelsome and argumentative..when we are  conceited or greedy.. we bring shame to our Savior's reputation as well as to our own. 

Paul reminds us of the Truth on which our lives are built and which are reflected in our conduct:

"He who was revealed in the flesh" - His incarnation

"Was vindicated in the Spirit" - His resurrection

"Beheld by angels" - His Exaltation

"Proclaimed among the nations" - His Proclamaion

"Believed on in the word." - Bringing Redemption

"Taken up in glory" - His ascension 

Our lives are built on the Rock.. the Cornerstone.. on Jesus Christ our King!

Father  in heaven.. may our conduct reflect only Jesus!  May our lives be surrendered fully, our hearts filled with Your Spirit, and lived out by Your power and in Your love.. so that Jesus is seen in each of us.  We ask this in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen and amen.