Brothers, we have a high calling. No doubt, each of us (if we examine our lives) will find many instances where we have failed in our personal holiness and faithfulness. Let us fall neither into despair nor indifference. Rather, let us bring the Word to bear on our own lives. Let us preach to ourselves that which Jesus first preached in Galilee: “repent and believe the gospel” (Mk. 1:15).

Introduction

There it was—Section III Question G. I knew they would ask:

Do you feel you meet the New Testament qualifications for the office for which you are a candidate?

The reason I was uncomfortable answering the question is I was all too familiar with the biblical qualifications for the office of elder. I was asked to evaluate my own life and make an assessment as to whether I met the New Testament qualifications. I knew the times and ways I have failed—failed to be intentional in leading my family, inattentiveness to the spiritual and emotional needs of my wife, harsh words to my children, indifference at times to study God’s Word, neglect of prayer, and harbored bitterness. Is it possible for any man to give himself a passing grade when he knows so many points of personal failure?

If you are an officer in the church, particularly a Ruling Elder in the PCA, it is likely that 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are never too far from conscious thought. When considering ordained office, these texts appear as a hurdle to clear or even a barrier to entry. But for those of us who serve in the office, they remain a continual call to pursue personal holiness. It is true that the call to live out true faith, which produces good works pertains to every believer. But for ordained officers in the church, the bar is raised. Does this mean elders must be “super Christians”? Have they reached some pseudo-Christian perfectionism? Not at all.

 Is Perfection Required?

Noah was “a righteous man” (Gen. 6:9), Job was “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1), and David was famously “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). How should we understand these inspired and inerrant descriptions of mere men? Were they perfect or unstained from even a single mark of sin? First, we know from Scripture that cannot be true (Rom. 3:10-20). Like us, these were fallen men, brought forth in iniquity (Ps. 51:5), and with a heart bent toward all manner of evil (Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9). That is, they possessed original sin.

Second, we see each of these men demonstrate failure as they followed in the footsteps of their rebellious father Adam. They participated in actual sin, even horrendously so in some situations (2 Sam. 11). Noah was drunk and shameful, Job was self-righteous, and David committed adultery and murder. How are we to understand those positive biblical description of their lives?

This is instructive for current and potential officers of the church. Scripture informs how we understand ourselves and our suitability to the office.

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