Above Reproach
Perhaps youβre serving a mission, served previously, want to serve in the future or want to improve your relationships with others?
Young or old, in the mission field, the standards, the discipline, the expectations β are high.
To be an effective missionary, you must be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and be πππ¨π―π π«ππ©π«π¨πππ‘, in all of your actions and dealings with everyone.
Building a Christlike character is a daily process, it is an individual responsibility.
By following the βMissionary Standards for the Disciples of Jesus Christ,β the example each missionary sets can always be above reproach.
What does it mean to be πππππ ππππππππ?
πππ¨π―π πππ©π«π¨πππ‘ β βImpossible to criticise, being good, blameless, unaccusable, faultless, exemplary, impeccable.
In the books of 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul referring to the qualifications of a Bishop, outlines virtues that an individual would have to possess in order to be βπππ¨π―π π«ππ©π«π¨πππ‘β.
Similarly, a missionary is not arrogant or quick-tempered or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Over these last two years, I know that it takes personal effort in all of our actions and communications to be above reproach.
Is your soul untarnished?
It may not be easy, but it is possible.
Our actions must be above reproach, not only in the public domain, but even more so in our own private moments.
How are your interactions with others?
As missionaries and disciples of Jesus Christ, being thoughtful of our spoken words, the things we say and share online, the way we treat others, and the way we live our daily lives, must always be above reproach.
I know the example that missionaries set, will indeed set the tone for others to follow, just like the millions who choose to follow the ultimate example of being above reproach, even Jesus Christ.
Are you true to yourself?
A true missionary is one who is living a life above reproach.
If we are to find true happiness, real joy, missionary or not, then living our life above reproach, should be a given.
This week during Zone Conferences, we ran expert panels with 13 soon to be departing for home missionaries. It was fun!
I love these pictures of missionaries serving with all of their hearts, learning what it means to honour missionary standards, and to serve above reproach.
How do you maintain your personal character and live your life πππ¨π―π π«ππ©π«π¨πππ‘?
