A FAULTLESS SAVIOR AND A BLAMELESS PREACHER

There has only been one sinless human—Jesus Christ. He alone is worthy of worship. Born of a virgin, and thereby conceived by the Holy Spirit without a depraved nature, yet being a real man, tempted at all points as we are, yet without sin. To condemn Him required false witnesses and the miscarriage of justice.  Pilate upon examining Him declared Jesus to be faultless. He had no guilt. As preachers, it is imperative that we point people to Jesus. He alone can save from sin. If people will honestly examine Christ, they will see One unique and meriting submission to Him as Lord and Savior. He is in a class unparalleled—the “one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” (1 Tim. 2:5). 

Yet, as His representatives, we are to be blameless. It is a different word in the Greek language than the one used to describe the sinless Savior.  Scripture demands that, “A bishop then must be blameless,” (I Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬‬).  This means to be above reproach. None may justly accuse the pastor of scandalous sin. He is a holy man of God who seeks to practice what he preaches. When he does stumble, he confesses his sin with deep contrition and makes it right. If he has offended another, he seeks reconciliation. He keeps short accounts with God and man. His wife and children see him consistent in his home life with what he teaches in the church. His character in private aligns with his claims in public. He abhors hypocrisy.

Pastor, if you want to be set on a pedestal and revered, someone will knock you off, or you will eventually fall yourself. That singular place of being faultless is reserved for the Savior, our Lord Jesus.  But, if you think your character, conduct, and conversation unimportant, then you disqualify yourself. There should be a passionate pursuit in my life to be like Jesus. Paul put it this way: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”  (1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬‬). 

Holy God, 

May I follow in the footsteps of Jesus that others might follow my leadership and not go astray.  Give me a passion to progressively become more like my Savior, so others would see Jesus in me. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, may I gaze into the Light of the world—nothing between my soul and the Savior to diminish that illumination, nor the shadow of earth to eclipse it. 

In the Name and for the Fame of Jesus,

Amen!