Over the centuries, God has chosen special men to carry out His will and plans. We can call the roll with such men as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Levi, Judah, David, Solomon, the prophets, John the Baptist, Joseph the husband of Mary, and the apostles. Most important of all, He sent His Son to earth to live and die as a man, yet without sin (John 1:1,14; Hebrews 4:15).
This is only a partial list, but who would deny that all of these were outstanding men for God. Truly God used these and other faithful men (even His only begotten Son) for great spiritual purposes.
How about today? Does God still use men of leadership to carry out His divine work and purpose? The answer is yes! He still wants great men as leaders in His church. He wants strong and faithful elders to feed and shepherd the flock (Acts 20:28), deacons with special qualifications to serve (1 Timothy 3:8-13), and evangelists (like Paul and Timothy (Ephesians 4:11); 2 Timothy 4:5), to preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2).
Someone has put together the following list that sums up some of the characteristics of the kind of men that must surely please God:
1. THE MAN who puts God’s business above any other business.
2. THE MAN who brings his children to worship rather than sending them.
3. THE MAN who is willing to be the right example to every boy he meets.
4. THE MAN who thinks more of his Bible class than his Sunday sleep.
5. THE MAN who measures his giving by what he has left, rather than by the amount he gives.
6. THE MAN who goes to church for Christ’s sake rather than for himself or for someone else.
7. THE MAN who has a willing mind rather than a brilliant mind.
8. THE MAN who has a passion to help rather than a passion to be helped.
9. THE MAN who can see his own faults before he see the faults of others.
10. THE MAN who is more concerned about winning others for Christ than he is about winning worldly honor. —Selected.
Remember, both men and women who serve the Lord are important to Him! As Paul illustrated it, the eye, the foot, the hand, and the ear are all important to the body (1 Corinthians 12:14-17).
Finally, what an honor God has placed upon men to lead their families (Eph. 5:23), and to fill various leadership roles in the church. There is so much work to be done for Him, and when we refuse to work, we let God down. —BBBristow
Braggs Church of Christ 
