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One of the fascinating characteristics of water is its volume change corresponding to changes in temperature. As water is cooled it shrinks in volume until a few degrees above freezing when it starts to expand. When water freezes, ice forms and it is less dense than the surrounding water so it floats. If God hadn't made water's properties this way, fish wouldn't be able to live in any water where it ever got cold enough to freeze the top layers. Those layers would sink freezing a lake from the bottom up.
Paul's message to Timothy concerning the qualifications for church leaders reflects this same principle. In order to determine who is qualified for leadership positions he sets some tough standards. The first is ".must be above reproach" (v.2). An examination of a church leader shouldn't turn up any "iceberg tips." As with an iceberg, questionable character on the surface is likely only the tip of the problem.
"Why bother? We all have our flaws, don't we? Why put greater standards on our leaders?" The answer is: as the leaders go, so goes the church! That invisible spiritual link will bring godly growth or a sinful collapse! Take time to read the chapter and compare your church leaders to God's standards.
Even better yet, ask "What am I hiding?" Is there a secret sin that you think is under control and out of site? God sees the whole iceberg and you may only think you are hiding the sin. Best to do it God's way and melt the whole thing by the grace of God's forgiveness. Confess, repent, and accept the forgiveness God offers.
All Scripture references are from the New American
Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
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~Hidden
