It may seem strange that an Australian living in Australia would have an opinion on who should represent the American people in the forthcoming midterm elections. But not so strange when one realises that whatever happens in the USA, the same is reproduced in Australia a few years later [or sooner.]

If those elected in the USA have the wrong values and attitudes, the fabric of American society will be shaken. Likewise, when elections are held in Australia, many will want to see the same decisions already decided upon in the USA to be adopted here. So in order to prevent any bad things  happening, we need to look at what sort of people should be elected in the positions of leadership in both countries and hope that such people are elected.

WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE SHOULD BE ELECTED?

There has to be some sort of objective standard to judge the people to be elected, or else there could be chaos. One such objective standard is that found in the New Testament where the qualities of people to be elected as elders/overseers are outlined. They are in positions of authority, having the duty to care for those under their charge.

It could be said that those elected to the House of Representatives or to the Senate in both the USA and Australia also have a duty of care for those who elected them to their high office. They must be seeking the best interests of those electors and not be motivated by ambition or greed for riches in their time in office. Let’s look then at the qualities needed for elders or overseers in Titus Chapter 1 Verses 5 To 8.

THE QUALITIES NEEDED FOR ELDERS OR OVERSEERS.

• Elders [πρεσβύτερος, presbyteros]  a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”: — elder(-est), old.
• Overseers. [ἐπίσκοπος, episkopos]  a superintendent, bishop, overseer.

THE TEXT OF TITUS 1:5-8 [IN BOLD ITALICS]

Titus 1:5  This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Titus 1:6  if anyone is:-

• above reproach. [ἀνέγκλητος, anegklētos] irreproachable: — blameless. Not a known law-breaker.

of one wife, faithful in their marriage

and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. Showing strong but loving discipline.

Titus 1:7  For an overseer, [ἐπίσκοπος, episkopos; an overseer a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent, the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church.]

as God’s steward. [οἰκονόμος oikonomos]  a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel): — chamberlain, governor, steward.  must be :-

• above reproach. [ἀνέγκλητος, anegklētos] irreproachable: — blameless.

He must not be:–

• arrogant .[αὐθάδης authadēs] self-pleasing, i.e. arrogant: — self-willed.
• quick-tempered. [ὀργίλος orgilos;]  soon angry.
• Drunkard. [πάροινος paroinos] staying near wine, given to wine.
• Violent. [πλήκτης plēktēs;]  a smiter, pugnacious (quarrelsome): — striker.
• greedy for gain. [αἰσχροκερδής aischrokerdēs] sordid: — given to (greedy of) filthy lucre.

Titus 1:8  but must be:-

• hospitable. [φιλόξενος philoxenos;]   fond of guests, i.e. hospitable: — given to (lover of, use) hospitality.
• lover of good. [φιλάγαθος philagathos]  fond to good, i.e. a promoter of virtue: — love of good people.
• self-controlled. [σώφρων sōphrōn]  safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): — discreet, sober, temperate.
• upright. [δίκαιος dikaios]  equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): — just, meet, righteous.
• Holy. [ὅσιος hosios]  hallowed (pious, sacred, sure, holy. Set apart from evil.
• disciplined. [ἐγκρατής egkratēs]  strong in a thing (masterful), i.e. (figuratively and reflexively) self-controlled (in appetite, etc.): — temperate.
• hold firm [ἀντέχομαι antechomai]   to hold oneself opposite to, i.e. (by implication) adhere to; by extension to care for: — hold fast, hold to, support.
• to the trustworthy word as taught, because God’s word is the written truth.
• so that he may be able to give instruction i[παρακαλέω parakaleō] to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): — beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, sound doctrine.
• to rebuke. [ἐλέγχω elegchō]   to confute, admonish, convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke.

those who contradict it. [Rebellion against the will of God declared in the scriptures, is rebellion against Him and forfeits His guidance and blessing]

In a world where many ideologies exist which have widely differing values, it is essential that the people elected to positions of power have the values and ideas which will prosper their nation and not lead to its decline or destruction. God has shown the qualities of the people He entrusts to lead and care for His church. Such values are needed in those whom He allows in His divine providence to be in positions of power [with a duty of care] among the nations.

We hope and pray that those types of people will come to power in every nation, that those nations might know His blessing in the present and for the days ahead!

Blog No.606 posted on Thursday 29 October 2026.