Enabled to Lead
Titus 1:5-9, 3:1-8
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is... leadership, let him govern diligently."
(ROMANS 12:6, 8)
The person gifted to lead is, in the words of the Amplified Bible, one who gives aid and superintends. Paul tells some of the traits of those who lead as elders in the church, qualities which would serve a leader well in any setting. He must be hospitable, self-controlled, upright, disciplined, and honest. This is a person who can see just how to get a job done efficiently.
When any of these gifts given by the grace of God are put into action, the devil will seek to barge in and de-stroy. Leaders may even be targeted more than others. Wouldn't Satan love to undermine a higher-profile leader whose work is honoring the Lord? He would try to steer that leader's focus off of his Father and put it on himself. Satan may sow seeds of laziness. It's no wonder some leaders grow weary and apathetic.
Praise God we have Jesus whose leading with humility, kindness, and unswerving focus will carry us through. Because of Him we declare along with Paul that we can do all things through Christ who give us strength.
INSIGHT
Pray for the efficient deployment of the people of God in the mission of God. And pray for our leaders!
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 65-66
Psalm 103
Acts 27
Titus 1:5-9, 3:1-8
Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Footnotes:
a. Titus 1:5 Or ordain
b. Titus 1:6 Or children are trustworthy
d. Titus 3
Saved in Order to Do Good
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
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