Lead Well

May 2020

As part of the Bride of Christ, we are all expected to lead. It does not matter if you are called to be a leader or a servant, we are ALL called to lead people from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light.

So, how does one lead well? We lead well by following the example of the greatest Leader of all, Jesus.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

(Matthew 5:14–16 NKJV)

We are the light of the world. We shine so that others may see Jesus through us and know the Father. This makes it vital that we, as leaders in a fallen world, exhibit the leadership qualities of Jesus. What are those qualities? We can see clearly in Scripture that Jesus is fair, just, no respecter of persons, firm, not harsh, hates evil, loves the people, leads people to the Father by both teachings and example, not overbearing, and is humble.

We live in a world desperate for leaders like Jesus. As the Bride of Christ, we are called to do something about the evil that plagues our society. Prayer is great and we should pray for our world, but our society needs a Jesus–like leader who will take action. For far too long, Christians have sat back and watched the world grow darker and darker. It is time we wake up, stand up, and take action; do something about the mess we live in. We are the light of the world, so what good are we if we are hiding our light.

I was at a conference this past year and had the opportunity to evangelize at a Gay Pride event. I was deeply moved at the sight of all these people––although they appeared to be happy, I could tell they were not. Many looked lost, broken, and desperate for more. I did not judge them for what they were doing or participating in, and I never want to, but I just was deeply moved. But the thing that moved me the most was how the CHRISTIANS were treating them. They had banners that threatened them with hell if they did not repent. The leader of this group stood on a box “preaching” to them. The reaction of the crowd was beyond hateful, but they had good reason. And they weren’t the only ones. In fact, the way these “Christians” acted made me and a group from the conference uneasy as well. It was so bad that law enforcement had to make these Christian picketers leave.

I was grieved for the lost people, but after the picketer’s demonstration, I felt more compassion for them than before. How great a harvest, but how few are the laborers! Those Christian picketers had a chance to reap a harvest out of love, but instead, they turned the people away out of hate. At that point, I wanted to get up in front of the now angry mob and apologize for the way “Christians” have treated them. I wanted to apologize for Christian not being Christ–like leaders. I feel like this same thing is happening all over the body of Christ. Christian people are turning the lost away because they are not being Christ–like leaders. Once again I say that it is vital to exhibit the leadership qualities of Jesus. The world does not need to have Scripture beaten over their heads, to be judged by us, or for us to say, “You should come to church with me on Sunday.” tThe world needs someone like Jesus who meets them right where they are and loves them despite the darkness.

Being a Christ–like leader does not mean we have to conform to the world’s standards, but rather to follow Jesus’ standards. I believe that God is raising up a people that will be Christ–like leaders, for it will be these people that will reap the harvest. I believe that you and I can be a part of the breed of leaders that God is raising up if we will submit ourselves fully to Him and exhibit Jesus’ leadership qualities. The world needs you and I to be the leaders that God has called us to be. It is possible to lead well, for with God, ALL things are possible.

“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

(Matthew 19:26 NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

(Philippians 4:13 NKJV)