Self-evaluation is a Christian principle; it’s a standard for Churchmen (Romans 12:3, Philippians 2:3, Romans 12:16, 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6, James 1:26, etc.). We’ll see that in this chapter.
The best life is lived with God. He shows us how to live godly lives, and He gives us joyful confidence in this life to come. It takes work to appoint elders. These are real supermen - shepherds, and servant leaders. Dads, husbands, good sons, and brothers - proven disciples of Christ.
It takes a lifetime really; frankly, the standards are so high here it’s amazing if anyone is qualified. Indeed, many in the modern church have proven by the way they live that they do not meet these standards of a churchman.
May we all, from a young age onward aspire to be approved by Jesus. May He give us His grace and peace. God requires churchmen to step up and lead. You can’t have a healthy church without servant leaders and elders.
But church, do you even know the elders of your church? Are they appointed or elected with transparency and fidelity to God’s standards?
When we moved to the USA we quickly joined what we thought to be a respected conservative church. I didn’t want to church shop and I’ve found the sooner I volunteer to serve and dive in the better. But after three years I found there were no church meetings. Once a year the “deacons” of the church were paraded onto the stage - no identification of who they were - and a one-slide PowerPoint was presented that showed the church “budget.”
God help us. Our forefathers who demanded freedom, good government, and fidelity to the Scriptures would be appalled. How on earth can we know a leader is blameless if we don’t even know who the leaders are? Let’s stop pretending. Many modern churches give lip service to taking God’s word seriously. To our great shame, our modern mega-churches put all the power in the hands of one or two and have great disdain for God’s principles of good governance and the qualifications for leadership. That should stop. Let’s get it right.
I see in the NT a pattern (as blogged about in my commentary on Acts) that the church is a community of equality before God. Leaders are first among equals. The church is not a paramilitary organization or an elitist club. God forbid. We get that message loud and clear in the book of James. Yet we see so many churches with ungodly corporate structures; I’ve been appalled to find out that many churches these days don’t even allow members. Rather they place all power in the hands of one man with no oversight. What could possibly go wrong!
An elder must be a good husband and a good dad. Do your elders meet that qualification? How do you know? Actually, the standard is higher - the disciple of Jesus Christ must move from good, to great. Sanctification is a continuous improvement process. Yes, there are setbacks, but we work as God urges us to do. If you are not faithful to your wife, or if you have children who are not believers or who are rebellious, well, then do the self-evaluation and step out of the leadership role. It does not mean that you can’t contribute, but you are not qualified by Scripture (by God) to shepherd God’s people.
The responsibility is on you as the leader to be a faithful husband and a servant leader dad. It is also on you to know when to recuse yourself and when to obey Christ and lead when He says lead.
Serve with the selfless example of Jesus Christ. The commendable Christian husband and dad is humble, hard-working, extremely down to earth, patient, and kind. Always be kind. You are not so important not to be kind, self-controlled, and honest with money.
There is always a Pashhur in the crowd - someone willing to use his authority to punish the people calling out evil (Jeremiah 20:3). May God do to such men what He did to Pashhur.
Stand beside us, Dear God. Just as you did in the past with those who trusted in your name. May we commit our cause to you O LORD. Jesus, you are our Rescuer and our Redeemer. Help our churches to honor Your holy name.
Proclaim the faith to God’s people. Teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives (1:1). When fundamentalists think of commandments, they myopically focus on Exodus 20. But what about God’s commandments to His people, the church (1:30)?
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give us His understanding - so that we may hear and obey His commandments. As we will discuss next time Elders are to be appointed based on merit. That is, based on a pattern of qualifying conduct. The Scripture makes plain what a church leader is to act like - and what he is not to act like.
People see right through your charade. If they don’t then God certainly will. They know if we love the things of this world or the things of God.
Lord Jesus, please develop us into your men and women. Help us to love a blameless life today. And every day. Amen.
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