Serious

First on the list of qualifications for being a deacon in the early church was that candidates had to be “reverent.” The Greek word includes a sense of reverence but also the importance of being serious. This was a qualification for wives as well.

Paul was not saying that Christians needed to be gloomy or could not laugh. But they couldn’t have a casual attitude. They could not be frivolous about the challenges of life or be guilty of kidding around or joking about important subjects.

In all ways, they needed to be serious about their faith, sensitive to the needs of others, and serious about the times in which they lived. They had to be serious about their relationship with God, serious about making Jesus the Lord of their lives, and serious about their commitment to know and obey His Word.

This seriousness would help make them trustworthy, responsible, and ready for leadership.

These principles apply to all Christians. Paul used the same word when he said that we were to think about things that are “noble” (Philippians 4:8). We are to be careful how we live, seeking to make the most of our time (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Today, make sure that you are thinking seriously about the issues of life and the things of God. Ask God to fill your heart with joy but also to keep you serious about your faith and needs in the world.