‘Love the Lord your God
with all your heart.’
Matthew 22:37 NIV (2011 Edition)
One day Christ’s critics asked Him, ‘Teacher, which is the
greatest commandment in the Law?’ (v. 36 NIV 2011 Edition). His answer is a
timely reminder to both leaders and followers; it includes those who sit in the
pews and those who stand in the pulpit. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your
heart … all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest
commandment’ (vv. 37-38 NIV 2011 Edition). As a leader you must never leave a
question in anyone’s mind as to who is God - and who isn’t. Namely, yourself!
God said, ‘You shall have no other gods before Me’ (Exodus 20:3 NKJV).
And that’s important, because you’re never in greater danger than
when people begin to praise you. Yes, we must teach people to respect, honour,
and reward good leadership, but the Christlike leader discourages adulation and
shies away from the limelight. John the Baptist was so successful as a preacher
that when he finished speaking, his audience flocked to Jesus. Speaking of it,
Christ later said, in essence, ‘John, you did your job well!’ Apparently John
agreed, for he said, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ (John 3:30 NKJV).
Isaiah wrote, ‘In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a
throne, high and lifted up’ (Isaiah 6:1 NKJV).
The king had to die before Isaiah saw the Lord. Only when a leader
becomes impervious to applause and approval and dies to ego, is God glorified
in his or her leadership. Indeed, when Christ alone is exalted, the God-called
leader smiles and says, ‘Thank You, Lord - that’s how You intended it.’
Bible in a Year: 1 Chron 4-6; Acts 15:1-21.
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