An important reminder to leaders to monitor their words, thoughts and deeds.
“Never separate the life you live from the words you speak.” ~ U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone
Lead by example may be a very common and overused phrase, but it still resonates in the hearts of true leaders and their followers.
Matthew 20:25-26: 25
The culture around may dictate the persona of a leader, but not so among you. In the Kingdom God desires His citizens to lead by example. Rank (office) and maturity is what distinguishes leaders from the crowd. Leadership is about service and example.
In the Kingdom of God all citizens are called to govern. All citizens may lead at one time or another by either being a parent, being a manager at work, being a teacher and even running their own business etc.
Jesus' words are made even more powerful by His actions. He doesn't just say it, but shows it in what He does to prepare His disciples for His death and how He goes to His death for them and for us.
1 Peter 5:2-3.
We are not to exercise heavy burdens on people that we are ourselves cannot bear. That is hypocritical and exactly what God condemned concerning the Pharisees. We are not to breed fear but instil love and respect to those that look up to us.
Mark 10:42-44, Luke 22:25-26, 2 Corinthians 1:24.
Since the beginning of time man has sought to have dominion on earth with little regard for their fellowman. Genesis 4 preludes degenerate man founding cities based on their carnal appetites. Their laws disregard the responsibility of each citizen to regard the welfare for their brother.
With the legacy of Cain ever the more present within our mist. We see that once man tastes power, they long to exert their power in a disproportionate manner. Humility enables us to understand our shortcomings and
Humility enables us to understand our shortcomings and appreciate where we are weak and others are strong vice versa. If we remain transparent both in our strengths and weaknesses we will capture the hearts of men and produce true obedience. The Lord in the flesh demonstrated man’s weakness and never hid his emotions and his passion. Jesus wept, He was tired, He was angry and He was even weary. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to acknowledge that in our own weakness Christ’s ability to accomplish His will is perfected.
The Lord in the flesh demonstrated man’s weakness and never hid his emotions and his passion. Jesus wept, He was tired, He was angry and He was even weary. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to acknowledge that in our own weakness Christ’s ability to accomplish His will is perfected.
John 11:35, Mark 4:38, John 2:15, John 4:6, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
In 1 Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:1-7, Paul exhorts his fellow citizen to ensure that their words and life are consistent to the life that Christ lived. That each citizen’s character though tested will stand the tests of time. It is our duty to be an example, even in the days you do not want to. We should not forsake our responsibility to first govern ourselves before more responsibility is received.
Kings of old were under constant threat of being overthrown from within their court. Many nobles within the king’s court were very wealthy, at times even wealthier than the king. Does man seek only riches, or greater desire to exercise authority over their fellow man?
Many coup d'états in history are led by men with extreme wealth and power. 2 Samuel 15 illustrates David’s son Absalom trying to seize the throne from David. ‘The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England (VII of Scotland) in 1688 by a union of Parliamentarians with an invading army led by the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau (William of Orange), who as a result ascended the English throne as William III of England.’
Does God desire for us to have dominion over each other or to collaborate in dominion? Is there a difference? The former is tyranny and the latter is Theocracy (shared government).
Many of us are called to lead, however many of us have not been taught how to lead. God declares that leaders in whatever capacity (parent, manager at work, running your own business etc.) are to lead based on the laws of God and in a just way. A true leader is humble but determined, smart and honest and has authority, but not controlling.
