BLAMELESS?

 

Thursday, April 27, 2023

 

BLAMELESS?

 

Titus 1:5-7

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God.

 

          As a bishop (pastor) I find this to be a pretty tall order! Good? Certainly! Kind? Absolutely! But the idea of being blameless is intimidating to the best of us.

 

          The Old Testament defines blamelessness as being ethically strong and operating entirely in accord with the truth (Psalm 119:1). In our text above the word blameless is the Greek anegkletos which means unaccused; irreproachable. It does not mean perfection, but it points to a lifestyle of integrity.

 

          As we stroll down the streets of the city do people point and say that we are ethically strong and true in our dealings? When our name is mentioned in polite conversation, do people cringe with disgust or do they nod with approval?

 

          It is not possible to please everyone, because some are insatiable and self-pleasing.

 

Heb 11:5

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

 

Dear Lord, let me be pure in heart and ethical in my dealings so that others may know that your own Spirit dwells in me. AMEN