Scripture Reference: Acts 6:1-8

Sincere

The early church sought men of good reputation to be their leaders. The Bible tells us that they were to be “seven men of good reputation” (Acts 6:3 NKJV). They had to have a good reputation in the church and in the world as well. It is quite possible to have a good reputation in the church and a bad reputation in the office, shop, or in one’s neighborhood.

Some people are on their best behavior when they’re in the house of God. They seem to be far less particular when they are engaged in the daily routine of everyday life. Men and women who are leaders in the church are to be utterly sincere, thoroughly honest in all of their words and in their dealings with others. This doesn’t mean that their can’t be problems in their past, it just means that they recognize and realize their past is forgiven and they now live in the abiding presence of Jesus Christ.

Great damage can be done to the church when men and women of bad or indifferent reputation are given leadership positions in the church. In selecting leaders for the church, these questions should be asked:

• Is the person respected by friends and coworkers?
• Is the individual consistent in Christian living?
• Is he or she God-fearing and reliable?
• Is he or she a person of spiritual and moral integrity?

Christianity is not always taught in the practicality of real life. The great Pentecostal evangelist, Bud Robinson, was right when he stated, “I don’t care how loud a brother shouts or how high he jumps, just so he walks straight when he comes down.” Amen!

There are a number of admonitions in the Bible telling us how we ought to walk in sincerity:

• “Walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
• “Walk properly (honestly)” (Romans 13:13).
• “Walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).
• “Walk . . . worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1).
• “Walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2).
• “Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
• “Walk carefully” (Ephesians 5:15).
• “Walk . . . worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10).
• “Walk in wisdom” (Colossians 4:5).
• “Walk . . . worthy of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:12).
• “Walk . . . to please God” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
• “Walk in the same way . . . he walked” (1 John 2:6).

A person’s Sunday self and their weekday self are like two halves of a round-trip ticket; not good if detached. If Christ is the center of our lives, the whole of our lives will take care of itself. Christianity is either relevant all of the time or useless any time. It is not just a phase of life, it is life itself. True Christianity is not a religion despite what the world thinks. Rather, true Christianity is a lifestyle and one that is spiritually 180 degrees from the past.

Church leaders themselves need to be sincere, without pretense, polish, or gloss.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Where noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.