WHAT REPORT?

Memorise: "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Tim 3:7)

Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

There is an approved attire in which believers should be clad: This is Heaven's dress. God expects you to be clothed with salvation, honour, righteousness and humility. According to David's request, it is possible to be clothed with shame and dishonour (Psalm 35:26). Every garment of shame and dishonour the enemy has dressed you with shall be burnt in Jesus' Name. In Matthew 17:1-2, when Jesus was transfigured, His robe was as white as light. White represents several things. First, it represents purity. This is one reason wedding gowns are white, as the ladies were in the olden days expected to be virgins. According to His personal testimony documented in John 14:30, our Lord Jesus Christ wore purity as a dress. White is also a symbol of perfection. Scientists say white is a combination of seven colours. The number seven is the number for perfection. When Jesus asked us to be perfect like our Heavenly Father in Matthew 5:48, He meant that we should wear perfection as a dress. Are you clad in purity and perfection?


The store house of a brother was burgled and a number of things were carted away. To the police, the chief suspect was the brother in charge of the key, but the company's chairman insisted it could not be him as he was clad in holiness. He compelled the Police to release the brother. On his release, the brother thanked his chairman and requested for three days off to enable him settle the matter with the One he served. And that if after that period the real culprits were not apprehended, he would take personal responsibility for all the stolen items. He gave the chairman the key and left. Two days later, the robbers repeated their visit and were caught. If there is a fraud where you are, would you be exonerated? Can your boss, leader or superior vouch for you? How clean are your hands? If people around you cannot vouch for your character, you are miles away from purity. 1 Timothy 3:7 says one of the cardinal virtues a minister must have is good report especially among unbelievers. If questionnaires on your character, relationship with others, attitude to money, position and women are circulated among those around you, what would be their testimony of you? Would their report be good or unprintable?

ACTION POINT
Christianity is not just a way of life, but God's only way of expressing righteousness.