What comes to mind when you think of a good leader and how they should govern? Not only a leader that has been put in a high position to guide the people in the government. But also someone who teaches God’s people.
A few apparent things may come to mind. First, they should be honest, trustworthy, dependable, upright in character and demeanor, and hold to their word. They should not be prideful, boastful, arrogant, crude, stingy, unkind, or demeaning of those under their authority. The good leader of God’s people should display the fruits of the Spirit. The good leader of the people of nations should be no different.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24
If they are truly following the Lord, they should be humble, look to the needs of others, and give of themselves to lift the poor out of the state of their suffering. There is a reward for giving what is material in exchange for what is spiritual. An eternal treasure laid up in heaven for sacrificing what is temporal that others may have the same. Good leaders give of themselves to others and do not seek to gain for themselves.
One gives freely yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:24-28
In everyday life, a good leader is the same even when away from the limelight and the attention of those they govern. Above all else, they have integrity and humility. How can anyone lead anyone else into what is right if they are no good in the first place? If they are not there to serve. If they do not encompass what God declares a good leader is. If not, they should not be in a position of leadership. Unfortunately, many in positions of power, leadership, and even in the church think themselves high and mighty but are so very small.
He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:2-5
The description above is the kind of men and women who should be in charge of things. They should be the ones who make the laws, govern the people, and enforce what is good for the nations and especially in the Church.
But understand this, the greatest is not the big and famous man who can speak with a flattering and smooth tongue. It is not the one who is wealthy, flashy, and fancy. It is not the one you think it is. But it is the one who is a servant to all. It is the one who sacrifices and gives what he has to those who have none. So they share what they have for the benefit and prosperity of the less fortunate.
Jesus said, “Now there was also a dispute among them as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” Luke 22:24-27
So the question is, do we have this kind of leader in our churches and government? Unfortunately, they are few and far between. You would think, at least, we would have many in the churches. But this is not the case. Many in leadership have swindled their way to the top and deceived the people for their own gain.
They may have started out doing what was right. But the deceitfulness of wealth, authority, and position polluted their minds and hearts to run after what is not good, hiding the truth of what is in their heart. So instead of the leader doing what is good in the Lord’s eyes and what is right for the people, they do what is evil before the Lord. But be assured; payday will come for them someday.
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord.
“But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds, and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:1-4
There is coming a day when the Lord will flip the tables and throw down the wicked leaders. When He will set up in their place, those who are worthy to lead in His eyes. Those who walk in righteousness, holiness, and uprightness of heart, soul, and mind. Those who look to God for direction and guidance in everything they think, do, and say.
‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.
I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong and feed them in judgment.” Ezekiel 34:11-16
Take a lesson from this message and do what is right and good. Do not act with the wicked. Please do not do what the wicked leader does. It will only lead you to your demise. But follow and obey the commandments of the Lord that you may live and receive His eternal reward. Be one who God would call a “Good Leader.”
Depart from evil, and do good, and dwell forevermore. For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever. Psalm 37:27-29
Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:37-40
The Soul Sower 