Watch That Testosterone

625 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, Next on the list of pastoral qualifications is the pastor must not be quarrelsome. Again, as we ponder the culture in which we find these new congregations, one can see where this would be a necessary qualification for a pastor. If the spiritual leader of these new church plants would be the type who is looking for a fight, he would have no trouble finding one. The lifestyles of this culture as opposed to the lifestyle of the followers of Christ was so opposite, that it would be easy for a pastor to go forth, armed with Scripture and literally wear out his fingers, as he put the Bible under the noses of new converts and jamming them into his pet “proof” passages in an attempt to correct the myriad of ungodly behaviors. The idea here is that the pastor is not to be spoiling for a fight. Fights will come soon enough when it comes to living in accordance with God's Word. The question is, “How will you handle these confrontations?” Will you amp up your testosterone level and kick in your fleshly adrenaline, or will you first of all take the matter to the Lord in prayer. In these matters, it is vital to always start at the level ground of the cross. We are all even there...sinners in need of a Savior. It is here that we can put the words of Heb 12:14 into action: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” “Many become defiled”.....think of the damage that could be done amongst the flock and beyond with a graceless approach to necessary spiritual correction. This rule of peaceable correction holds true for all of us, pastors or not! Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Father, give us the Spirit of Christ in all matters of correction.