Thursday, August 25, 2016

Follow Faith

Recently, a friend asked Billy and I, "Why should people follow your leadership"?  

There was no accusation in his voice. He just truly wondered what we would say.

Innocent enough.

Still, something about it struck me funny.  And, 24 hours later, I've decided what that was. Possibly, it was just the wrong question.  That, and it's a little weird to be asked to tell others how sure your leadership is when referring to God's Kingdom, where leadership is really about the first going last, humility, and decreasing so that Christ can increase. Can you already see where I'm going with this?

In the church, we've embraced the 21 Laws of Leadership as if the principles within God's Kingdom are the same as the worlds.  If I may, the Kingdom isn't  about LEADERSHIP.  It's about DISCIPLESHIP.

Paul said, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (NIV).  

Christian friends, if you are looking for a "leader" to follow, know this...leadership in the church looks like this...

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. (Luke 6:31)

It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.  (Matthew 20:26)

He must increase, but I must decrease.  (John 3:30)

Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 11:14)

It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Proverbs 16:12)

So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.  (Psalms 78:72)

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)

Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of TRUTH, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. (Exodus 18:21)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it. (Proverbs 29:4)

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6:9)

But if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God.  (I Tim 3:5)

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  (Romans 12:3-8)

Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.  (2 Timothy 3:5)


To that I say, don't follow leadership.  Follow faith.  

Follow faith that has been TESTED in the dessert, in prosperity, in sickness, in health, in honor and in humiliation.  

Follow the one who has walked with God in obedience through the fire and who has learned perseverance, spiritual warfare, and courage.  More of You, less of me.

Follow my faith because I've been broken and am willing to be poured out.  Like Jesus. And, I've decided I'm not going back.  He's always ALWAYS proven Himself faithful to me. 

He's been faithful when He's made all work out the way I wanted.  And, He's been faithful and good EVEN WHEN HE DIDN'T TURN THINGS IN MY DIRECTION.



Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him."


Follow my faith because I delight in following His precepts more than I delight in you delighting in me.

Follow my faith.

And, even if you don't, know that God can use me or not.  It's His stage. I'm surrendered to Him, whatever He decides to do.  In the end, what He thinks about me is what's important.  And, that's a good stance for you to take as well.

Follow the example of people who point you to Jesus.  It's really that simple friends.

Lover of my soul, even unto death...my only hope...my prize...my glory now and in eternity...