Written by Leadership brings with it great responsibility. Political scientist’s will debate exactly what message the voters of Massachusetts were sending to leaders in Washington D.C. last night by their groundbreaking election of a Republican for United States Senator, but one cannot deny that a message was delivered. Leaders who do not deliver what they were sent to accomplish pay a political price.
Spiritual leaders need also to understand that leadership brings with it great responsibility. God will require a price be paid when we do not obey his commands to us. God Himself addresses this requirement of spiritual leadership to Jeremiah.
17 But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:17–19 (ESV)
This text addresses four vital points of which every spiritual leader should be aware.
1. “dress yourself for work” Each of us who have accepted the role of leadership in the service of Christ must prepare to work and work hard. The ministry is not a place for those who wish to be kept by others, but should be occupied by those who are dedicated and determined to serve Christ whatever be the personal costs or sacrifices.
2. “arise” God’s servants must arise. Get up! Stand up! Too few in our generation are leading by taking a stand against sin before their own congregations and society in general. If you have a spiritual leader who has the intestinal fortitude to stand up for truth and stand against the sins of our age then pray for him, protect him and give him your support.
3. “and say to them everything that I command you.” The man of God must also be one who will speak up. When I have taught classes in preaching I tell the students that the three rules of public speaking are to stand up, speak up, and sit down, and that it is preferable to conclude these three actions before your audience finishes. The man of God, however, must always remember that his greatest audience is not the one to whom he speaks, but the one for whom he speaks. Absolute obedience is what He requires.
4. “Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.” Those who stand and speak must also remember the high price which God will require if our fear of man ever becomes greater than our fear of God. Although opposition to us is certain, our protection is also certain. God promises to be with us and to deliver us.
God appoints spiritual leaders in our homes and workplaces as well as the church. Perhaps your vocation is not the ministry, but as a Christian your avocation is to be His service.
I am certain that the pain of losing an election may be great, and that giving a concession speech must be uncomfortable and unpleasant. Each of God’s servants must realize that such pain and discomfort will pail in comparison, however, to our being dismayed by God because of our disobedience!
I pray that each of us will obey so that none of us will ever be dismayed before Him.
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