“THE
SAYING is true and irrefutable: If any man [eagerly] seeks the office of
bishop (superintendent, overseer), he desires an excellent task (work).
2 Now
a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for
accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,
circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; [he must be]
sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly
(disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable [showing love for and being a
friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be] a
capable and qualified teacher,
3 Not
given to wine, not combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome but
forbearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money [insatiable for wealth
and ready to obtain it by questionable means].
4 He
must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true
dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them
respectful.
5 For
if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of
the church of God?
6 He
must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of
mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the
condemnation that the devil [once] did. [Isa. 14:12-14.]
7 Furthermore,
he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside
[the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and
fall into the devil's trap.”
Dear people of God, there is a difference between a pastor and a
man of God. All men of God are pastors but not all pastors are men of God.
The difference between a pastor and a man of God is stated
clearly in today’s lead Holy Bible text above.
Please read and read it again to see that anyone who professes
Christianity, is called by God to be a pastor and obeys all what God’s Word
states above is a man of God.
Anyone who is called by God as a pastor but is not doing what
God’s Word states above is a pastor BUT not a man of God.
Anyone who was not called by God BUT called himself into
ministry is a pastor BUT not a man of God. But such man is living a dangerous
life because he called himself into ministry and God does not recognise him.
There is no need belabouring the point because it is very clear.
Dear friend, is your local congregation pastor a man of God or
just a pastor?
Today, you know the difference.
Follow a man of God and not just a pastor because a pastor would
mislead you but a man of God would tell you the Truth of God’s Word and model
it by the example of his life.
Pray for your pastors so they can repent if they have deviated
from following God and so that God can show mercy and restore them as men of God.
If you are yet to believe, accept, know and follow Jesus Christ
as your Saviour and Lord, for time is fast running out for you because the
consequences of rejecting Jesus are grave.
If you profess Christianity but are still living in sin, the
time to repent, confess your sins to God and return to Jesus Christ is today
and now.
Why do you risk your life in sin, risk the grave danger, pain
and suffering ahead and risk ultimately damning your soul forever in the lake
of fire?
May the good Lord bless you as you heed His Word today, act on
it and share with others in Jesus’ Most Holy Name, Amen.
Gabriel Ama.