Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 12, 2011
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Hebrews 13:17
Confidence in leadership is necessary for credibility in leadership. When confidence is lost, creditability is not far behind in exiting out the door of lost influence. A leader at home, work, church or government is expected to meet basic requirements to gain the trust of followers. A leader’s role requests confidence from others, but their consistent character accompanied by right results maintains the status of a trusted advisor.
Are you a leader worth following? Do your wife and children have confidence in your decision-making process? Do they see a spiritual leader who follows the Lord well? If so, you have the benefit of being someone whom others hold in high esteem, because you can be trusted. Submissive followers is the natural outcome for a leader who is accountable.
David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? LORD my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.” 1 Chronicles 21:17
Ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ have a high bar of belief and behavior to model. They are accountable to Almighty God for how they represent His Kingdom. Leaders for the Lord carry the Christian brand of promise to love well. To love well means to listen to criticism with a goal for personal growth. To love well is to comfort the afflicted with the balm of grace. To love well is to challenge a changing world with unchanging truth.
When followers of Jesus see their Pastor follow Jesus with a humble heart, a disciplined mind and a lifestyle of accountability, they are reassured and secure. Joy and peace are the fruit of a trusting relationship where both the leader and the followers desire to do the Lord’s will. The burden of leading grows lighter when the leader is confident in Christ.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Acts 20:28
So seek to be a loving leader who garners confidence gladly from those he or she serves. As one who ultimately follows Christ first, submit to the one in authority over you (whether they deserve it or not) and trust that the Lord will hold them accountable to His standards. Confidence in leadership is the crux of where Christ works out His will.
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
What authority do I need to submit to, with my confidence in Christ, trusting He will hold them accountable to His standards?
Related Readings: Ezekiel 34:10; John 10:11-12; Romans 3:19; 2 Corinthians 3:6
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Leaders for the Lord carry the Christian brand promise to love well… #love
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