In The Ozarks, As With Elsewhere,
To Many Insecure Leaders
Spoil The Soup
Matthew T. Kohout April 10th, 2008
When searching out leadership or seeking to lead, remember the basics and you shall be served well.
First, the blind don't make very good guides. This may sound obvious, but surprisingly, all to many fall prey to blind guides whom are competing for their attentions and for their own agendas. Understanding motives, both of others and your own, is fundamental in making equitable choices. Remember that unless a man is born again he can not even see the kingdom of God, much less lead anyone else well. John 3:3 " Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." There is only one way to be born again and that is through Jesus, Gods only begotten Son. Not church membership or church traditions, not being baptized, not having some one pray for you, not taking communion or being christened, nor any other work is even a remote part of salvation, being born again. The person must have realized that he is a sinner with out hope in himself or any other besides Jesus, eternally separated from God in his sin, and asked Jesus ( and him only) personally, for Salvation and accepted Jesus work, suffering, death, and blood atonement on the cross as payment for his personal sin debt. John 14:6 " Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. " Now then if a person has been born again, that is they have been delivered from the devils household into the family of God, he has the only starting point for growing into a leader. Next, No seedling just planted bears fruit right away, but with seasoning and maturity ( in the Lord ) comes fruitfulness. Chronological age is not the only consideration here. One must have matured in the grace of God through Jesus Christ the Son. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes into us, abides with us, and leads us into all truth. John 16:13 " Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. " To mature one must be in Gods presence, and sin separates us from God. God is Holy, perfect and with out sin. Neither can God abide sin. " 1st John 1:5 " This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. " However, God is faithful to forgive us our sins if we confess them to Him. 1st John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. " Note that we confess to Jesus for forgiveness, there is only one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus the son. 1st Timothy 1:5 " For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; " Gods will is that we admit to our sin and forsake it, that we might prosper. Next, God councils us in his Word to seek out his righteousness. One way we do this is through prayer and asking for Gods help and guidance. Matthew 6:9-13 " 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. " Another way we do this is by renewing our minds by the reading of His Word. " Romans 12:2 " And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. " We also fellowship with other called out, born again believers. Which gives us the opportunity to help others with less experience, and seek help from those with more. Hebrews 10:24 & 25 " 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. " This is how we maintain our relationship, grow and bear fruit for Gods glory and to the benefit of all.
Remember, when prayerfully selecting those from whom to receive instruction, that the tree is known by the fruit. Leaders help feed others. and the fruit that they bear contains the seed. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, the good news and the good seed. Those that pretend to be leaders and hold not to the true gospel of Jesus Christ are pretenders indeed.
Some red flags
Those that must be heard more than they listen. Proverbs 1:5 "A wise man shall hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise councels:" Godly leaders are servants of God whom seek to minister. The ability to effectively give direction is predicated by ones ability to understand Gods will, and to understand the people and environment around them. In order to serve God and others it is important to listen to both, to receive encouragement, knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
Those that don't take constructive criticism well. Proverbs 12:1 " Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowlege; but he that hateth reproof is bruitish." Proverbs 9:9 " Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." The question we should ask ourselves is, when we are criticized is our first action a reaction? That is to say, do we act, objective, prayerful, consideration, or do we subjectively react, to be offended an to get defensive or strike out on the offensive without proper consideration or due diligence. Equity is gain, and gain is to receive that which one does not have.
Those whom in there communication mistake and substitute; intensity for inspiration, volume for substance, profanity for power, or clutter for clarity. Proverbs 10:11 " The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked." Proverbs 10:20 " The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth." These are signs of one whom is not secure in their position as a leader. Again, the tree is know by the fruit. One whom is of God seeks to serve and give, because they have first received of God, through Jesus Christ the Son, and are in a position to do so. In other words, we do not seek to lead to gain position, but rather as we have received form God we have, by grace (unmerited favor) been placed in position and there for lead by pointing others to Jesus. The ungodly seek to take and give only if it is in there benefit.
Those whom place themselves high above others and substitute aggression for righteousness, and their own personal will power for God ordained power. When the rubber hits the road it is about faith. Are they born again, do they truly believe? If they do not they are using religious jargon , precepts, and traditions to establish a connection for their own agendas. Truly believing leader need no such ploys. Remember 2nd Corinthians 3:17 " Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Unbelieving, insecure leaders may try to justify their need for superiority by sighting their personal accomplishments. But the truth of the matter is that what really matters is that we are plugged into Gods will and operating in his power. The true believer, the one whom has met God at Calvary's cross, has been humbled in the presence of the Holy One, and recognizes his own personal inaptness in this light. Their for, to Glory in the self and ones personal accomplishments is to demonstrate ones lack of experience in the faith. This is not to say that ones personal accomplishments are meaningless or not note worthy, but rather to say that the emphases is on Gods grace and His strength given to us to achieve for Gods glory and the benefit of all. John 15:5 " I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. " Philippians 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. "
