The Priority of Character by David Jeremiah

The Priority of Character This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless. 1 Timothy 3:1-2 Most positions of civic leadership have some qualifications that must be met: age, residency, citizenship, and the like. But there are other qualifications that are harder to define—but can be summed up in the word character. Paul wrote that church leaders must be “blameless,” which doesn’t mean perfect. But it does mean free from character blemishes that would hinder the important work they seek to do.

Recommended Reading: Daniel 6:4-5

Paul said that desiring to lead is a good thing. Even more noteworthy is when one’s character is so outstanding that reason demands that the person be called to lead. That’s what happened to Daniel in Persia. His character was so pure that his fellow leaders were jealous and sought to find some cause for his disqualification. But none could be found! “They could find no charge or fault . . . nor was there any error or fault found in him” (Daniel 6:4). May our character be blemish free so that others are able to see the life of God in us and give Him the praise (Matthew 5:16). Everything in life is a test of character.  John Blanchard