Thought for the day — 27 October 2009

• Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD. Psalm 26 NIV

Daily we hear of horror stories told by those that escaped from legalistic controlling congregations or from the clutches of false prophets masquerading as ministers, either situation being one in which the absence of the truth of Christ’s teachings is in itself an indictment of those that would lead astray or those that blindly follow mindlessly and without questioning. Ironically those with the fortitude to question, are the first to suffer reproach and estrangement from those they thought were their friends.

• The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3: 1&7

{We use 1 Timothy 3: 1&7 in the context that when married, a Bishop is expected by society, to remain monogamous regardless of the gender of the persons in the relationship}