From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (I Tim. 3:1-5)
These are some of the qualifications to be a preacher/pastor. It is a marvelous list and preachers are expected to fulfill them all. They are to be highly desired and strived for in the achieving of them. But, in all truth, I have never met a single individual who was absolutely 100% perfected in all of them. Even the great Apostle Paul said: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. … O wretched man that I am!” (Rom. 7:18,19,24) Yes, even Paul could not perform them in absolute perfection. Do you suppose any of us are better than Paul?
It is time for the saints to get off their high horses and admit we are all only sinners saved by grace. The list does not designate one greater or lesser than the others; they all are of equal ranking. One is not guiltier by committing one than he is by committing the other. Have you ever known any to be totally blameless? How about greedy of filthy lucre? How about short of patience? How about adultery? [Remember: Jesus said: “That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matt. 5:28)] There is a host of examples throughout the Scriptures where every single man of God had shortcomings. Are we more perfect than the men of the Bible? We cannot condone sin, but it is a reality in all men. Thus, let us seek to mend not to mutilate a fallen brother. When a general falls off his horse in battle his troops get him back in the saddle as quickly as possible, they do not mutilate him. Are the saints of God to do any less? Is the grace of forgiveness to be withheld from the generals of the armies of God? If the Master forgives His servants, are we to do otherwise?
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