Friday after Oculi Sunday
Posted on March 8, 2024 by under
Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-12 (NKJV)
3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Devotion
St. Paul sets a high standard for those in the Office of the Ministry. But don’t these qualifications apply to all Christians? It is not as though a layman is allowed to be a greedy, drunken polygamist, but a pastor is not. All believers in Christ should lead lives of reverence, temperance, and faithfulness.
Because ministers of the Word speak on Christ’s behalf, it is especially important for them to lead godly lives. False doctrine is taught by deeds as well as words. When people see a pastor engaging in a public sin, they might assume that God doesn’t mind that sin, or even approves of it. This gives the devil an opportunity to attack and scatter the sheep. If a man wants to protect the house of God from the devil, he must prove faithful in guarding his own house from sin.
The wife of a pastor has also been placed in a special position. Although she does not act in the stead of Christ, her behavior does reflect upon her husband. If she leads an ungodly life, it redounds to the shame of her husband, and therefore, of Christ.
Since our pastors and their wives have sinful natures like all Christians, we ought to pray for them, that the Holy Spirit would protect them against temptation. And if they do fall into sin, we ought to patiently bear with them in love and forgiveness, just as Christ has forgiven us.
Collect: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
