“Remember your leaders [for it was they] who brought you the Word of God; and consider the result of their conduct [the outcome of their godly lives], and imitate their faith [their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider of eternal salvation through Christ, and imitate their reliance on God with absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].”
Dear people of God, in the second part of this message, we stated that a Christian in seeking godly counsel should consult a genuine preacher of the Gospel whose lifestyle reflects God’s requirements because these preachers are Jesus Christ’s representatives on earth and Jesus speaks to them as He wills to pass messages to the church.
As promised, we will examine God’s Word to know who is a genuine preacher of the Gospel so Christians can be guided when they seek counsel.
It is written in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (AMP), “This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task.
2 Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical].
4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved],
5 (for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)
6 and He must NOT be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride].
7 And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.
Dear friend, there you have it from God’s Word concerning the characteristics of genuine preachers of the Gospel.
If any preacher is defective in at least one of these requirements from God, avoid him or her for counsel but pray for the individual for God to speak to him or her to repent and amend his or her ways before it is too late.
A Word is enough for the wise.
Jesus’ coming for His children in the Rapture is imminent. Are you His child or are you born again? Are you ready for Him?
Come to Jesus Christ the Word of God today and now, for tomorrow or later may be too late for you.
May the good Lord bless you as you heed His Word today, act on it and share with others in Jesus’ Most Powerful Name, Amen.
Gabriel Ama.