Above Reproach

Some years ago, I participated in a training put on by my bosses for mission team mobilizers in the area. Since I worked for the organization, I knew the expectations, and I knew that they would be watching our reactions throughout. 

One morning we were woken up earlier than expected and given an assignment. Once completed, we convened for breakfast, which was small pastries and black coffee. I’m not a coffee drinker and cringed at the idea of a cup of black coffee, but we had talked about hospitality and being gracious receivers and the importance of trying everything you’re served. Thinking I was being clever, I quickly poured my coffee into a coffee lover’s cup while no one was looking.

After this simulation of a breakfast while on a mission trip, we debriefed the experience and examined our actions in light of what we had been taught. My boss must have seen me pour my coffee out since he asked specifically who had done that. 

At the end of our debriefing time, my boss talked about being above reproach. As leaders, he said, we are the ones who set the example to be followed. By nature, people will usually reject a message if they don’t see it lived out in the messenger. By side-stepping a standard we had set, I was undermining the message and even giving permission for others to disregard it. 

If you’ve been around a church for very long, you’ve heard it said that we should be above reproach, but what does this actually mean? To be above reproach means to be without criticism. Paul commands that elders of the church be above reproach, but doesn’t this contradictory the fact that all of us still sin (even Paul—see Romans 7) and perhaps even contradict mercy, grace, and forgiveness? And wouldn’t this apply only to elders and not to me?

Paul doesn’t instruct us to strive for perfection for perfection’s sake, but to seek after that for which Christ called us heavenward—a life consistent with the gospel. We are to live in a way that does not inhibit the gospel through criticism but puts the gospel on display to those around us. 

Living above reproach is not easy. You will do things you don’t want to do. The devil may even try to use your freedom in Christ as justification to not do what you ought to do. You are free to wear shorts when it’s hot, eat “unclean” food, listen to secular music, drink alcohol, take a walk with someone of the opposite gender, and pierce whatever part of your body you want, among many other things. 

However, doing these things might not always be best for the gospel (1 Cor. 10:23). If you are going to live above reproach, you will need a singular, focused, burning passion for God’s glory—a passion that overcomes your desire for the temporary pleasure of sin and even for the rights and privileges of your salvation (1 Cor. 9). 

Pray and Journal—Take some time in prayer and meditation to consider what you are willing to give up for God to be glorified. Ask God to not just change your behavior, but to change your heart.