Let's accentuate some more positives!

Today we are finishing up our list from Paul of positive character traits that elders must cultivate. And as we found yesterday, we will find that these are traits all of us believers should strive for, too!

Let's dig in!

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. (Titus 1:8)

Upright.

What does Paul mean here? This word sometimes is translated "righteous." Since some of Paul's previous qualifications overlapped with that, it may refer to a man who is fair and even-handed in his dealings with other people. He is not partial to the wealthy or the powerful, and he doesn't ignore or belittle people. 

“‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. (Leviticus 19:15, NIV)

An upright elder simply looks at the facts of a matter, weighs them prayerfully, and makes impartial decisions.

Next, Paul mentions that an elder must be holy. The scholars tell us that the word used also carries the meaning of "devout." This is practical holiness. Every day, rain or sun, consistent holy living. Being separate from sin and evil behavior as much as possible. But this doesn't mean being separate from sinners! Our Lord and Savior was a friend of sinners - but a holy elder will take Jesus' example to heart and not carouse with sinners in their sin.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14) 

Instead, he will try to lead them to repentance. A devout, holy elder takes God seriously, and doesn't take the things of God in a light-hearted, casual manner. He is careful to live in obedience to Him.

Lastly, Paul says that an elder must utilize self-discipline. He uses the same phrase in Corinthians:

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (I Corinthians 9:25)

In his letter to the church people in Corinth, he referred to an athlete who exercises self-control in all things so that he may get the prize, the wreath of olive leaves. He tries not to do anything that would hinder him from achieving his goal. 

Here in Titus, Paul is emphasizing the holy living that he already talked about. An elder must be careful to have control over harmful desires or habits. He must not shelter anything in his mind or in his life that would stop him from knowing Christ more deeply. He cannot afford to allow things in his life that would keep him from being an effective shepherd of the believers entrusted to his care. 

How does an elder do this? He will use self discipline (train himself, develop the habits) to spend time alone with God, studying the Word, and praying. And we should do this, too: remember the fruit of the Spirit? All of the fruits in this verse (including that last one, self control) .....

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

 .....these grow in us as we walk daily by means of the Spirit: 

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Paul was trying very hard to make certain that Titus chose just the right elders to lead the churches in Crete. Why was he going into all of this detail? If the elders of a church do not avoid the negative characteristics that we studied, there can be terrible damage to the church. If the elders don't strive to show the positive characteristics, there can also be terrible consequences. When unqualified men are put into leadership, many people are wounded. Some are shaky in their faith, and they leave the church. Unbelievers have the opportunity to mock God and to ridicule the church. People are "turned off" by all of this, and they turn away from the faith that would save them. That is why it is so important to only put into leadership those men who are spiritually mature - in their home life and in their personal character.

We'll continue our study in Titus next week.