KEY SCRIPTURE 1Ti 3:10 KJV “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”

​

The scriptures instruct that the deacons must first be tried or proven before they are officially appointed to the office of deacon. We have discussed earlier  the instructions  that say pastors  must not be given to wine and should not be greedy for filthy lucre. Since the instructions are the same , we would not discuss them for deacons, but would look at the call  for deacons to be proven before being officially instituted as deacons. As we have already seen , he or she must be grave as well as not double-tongued. They should be observed first to see if they actually pass the test. Just observing a person in a church setting cannot reveal some of these tendencies. We saw in our previous study that it takes one to be close to a person to know that one has the trait of being double-tongued. A double-tongued person is basically a deceiver. One needs a very close observation or through the revelation of the spirit to know some of these things.

​

The next reason why they ought to be proven is that dealing with people is, at times, very demanding . Especially when it involves rendering various forms of service. Certain people are not able to endure the diverse characters of others. It soon gets on their nerves, and they begin to murmur. The truth is that every Christian with the Spirit of God must not find it difficult to serve. We must know that we do nothing  by our own efforts. The Lord said we must learn from him. He added that His yoke is easy and His burden is light( Matt 11:28-30). What made His yoke easy and His burden light? He depended on the Holy Spirit. Christianity is never trying to do anything by itself. It is an expression of the life of God through men. This is  why the first step into Christ is death to self. This happened  when we were baptised by the Spirit into Christ. 1Co 12:13 KJV “For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Through our baptism into Christ, we were baptised into his suffering and death on the cross. Our old self is crucified.

​

I have heard many people say that pastors are suffering quietly, and this applies to other workers for God. This should never be the case. The Lord Jesus could ask for the forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him because the Holy Spirit had taken over. Dear one , if you  have been called into service as a deacon, then it is God who is at work in you both  to  will and do of His good pleasure t. Philip 2:13. All you have to do is joyfully yield yourself into His arms, and He will do the rest. It is a great joy to be carried along by the grace  of God. Now, please note this: anyone who serves  God in difficulty  or with lots of hesitations is not serving the Lord at all. Deut 28:47. Col 3:23 KJV And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”; Every acceptable service before God must be through the agency of the Holy Ghost. It is only the Spirit who can render sanctified service. The Spirit would also work through us if we are joyful.  

​

THOUGHT: JESUS IS THE ONE , TALKING, ACTING AND LOVING THROUGH US, AS WE BELIEVE IN HIM TO LIVE THROUGH US.

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Phi 4:13 KJV” I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.”

​

Gal 2:20 KJV” I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”