WHAT IS GOD SEEKING FROM A LEADER
3 The integrity of the righteous guides them, but the hypocrisy of the treacherous destroys them (Prov.11:3)
THE SUPREME QUALITY OF A LEADER IS UNQUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY WHICH IS GROSSLY COMPROMISED TODAY.
Without integrity you will be heading nowhere. Without it you will not be able to influence anybody! Without it you will become unpopular! Without it nobody will submit to you or respect you. You will only end up in quarrels and strife in church.
INTEGRITY IS A SOLID REPUTATION NOT AN IMAGE
Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are. Unfortunately in today’s world people are concerned about building their own self-image. We call such people image-builders. Sadly many use the pulpit to do so.
However, a solid reputation in Christ is a character which is measured in a man as to what you would do even when nobody is watching.
FOOLISH LEADER: ’I DON’T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF ME!’
The worst place to think you can get away with deceiving the people is the church. You can escape trying to fool people in the corporate sector because people in the secular world will often compromise by measuring you on human standards. But the church expectancy of you will always be beyond the human standards.
Some leaders are very mistaken; they think ‘I don’t care what people think of me I can get away with it’. This is absolutely not true. This is the very reason why many ministries and leaders have been defeated today. When you have such flaws in you the enemy will be waiting to destroy you. Many unfortunately have fallen into the trap of the enemy because of clever thinking mind of their own.
Matt. 16:6 “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees”
Galatians 5:9: A little leaven leaventh much
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were a set of people who had a strong religious spirit. An arrogant spirit of an outward appearance and self-righteousness but inwardly they were crooks and thieves. Obviously they did not have the born-again spirit of God in them but they carried a strong leaven that was very contagious. Leaders need to be aware of this spirit that can subtly creep into you if you are not careful.
GOD’S WORD DON’T NEED INNOVATION
MATTHEW 24:35 – “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Have you ever realized that, everything created by man need to change and innovate from time to time in order to suit civilization’s demand? That’s because man is an imperfect being therefore whatever man creates becomes outdated and out of fashion over time.
But you know what is happening today in ministry and churches? People are changing the word of God to suit their own convenience and circumstances. Can I say something to you this morning? Galatians 1:6-9: if we pervert the gospel by changing it, we will be accursed.
God’s word needs no change!! For ever and ever it will last, forever and ever it will not change! Forever and ever it will be a living word! Forever and ever it will be relevant in season and out of season from generation to generation.
ISAIAH 40:8 — “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
A GOOD CHRISTIAN LEADER WHO HAS HIGH INTEGRITY WILL HAVE HIGH INFLUENTIAL VALUE.
In other words the word that you say with your mouth will influence other people around you. Listen to me! You carry a spiritual power that is so contagious that it will impact and transform others around you.
WHAT DO PEOPLE EXPECT FROM YOU?
You can say a hundred things with your lips but if your life shows a different message people will not believe you. Because your reality defeats your message! That’s a fact; you can’t run away from it. What people want to see is Christ operating through your life as one of the leaders of His church.
We should always focus on Jesus every time we attempt to do something which is against the standard of God. Ask ourselves ‘WILL JESUS DO IT, IF HE IS IN YOUR SITUATION?’
That’s the standard of measurement that you should follow.
Integrity is a result of self-discipline. A decision to be honest in all situations irrespective of your circumstances.
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IS NOT BASED ON HOW CLEVER I AM, INTEGRITY IS BASED ON HOW HONEST AND CONSISTENT I AM TO BE CHRIST-LIKE!
INTEGRITY IS LIKE A GLUE THAT HOLDS OUR LIFE TOGETHER. YOU TAKE AWAY INTEGRITY THERE IS NOTHING LEFT IN YOUR LIFE.
We need men and women of integrity no matter what. The standard and conduct that God has set for His children to follow is not an outward standard but an inward standard. God is concerned about our inward standard ! God’s standard of righteousness has never changed. He is holy and nothing flawed with sin can stand before Him.
This is the standard that governs our attitude and thoughts. Jesus said in Matt 5:20: Your standard and conduct must (exceed) higher than the standards of the Pharisees and Scribes. You see the standards of these people were only outward in nature. They were only cosmetic in their righteousness. They were arrogant.
True character of God is an inward change! Our life should be a living epistle. There is an old American saying which says: “Your talk is cheap but your life speaks volumes”. Do you have a testimony in your life? Your testimony is so powerful that you don’t have to impress people with all your talk.
Integrity is not something that happens just because you become a Christian. It’s something we develop by crucifying our flesh which results in yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit. It is a product of a divine spirit that is at work in our heart.
In short, this is what you mean when you say “I am BORN-AGAIN “
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is a mission minded pastor who carries an apostolic anointing who preaches and teaches an uncompromising gospel with boldness. A member of ECCM (Malaysia) Spiritual Adviser & overseer to various ministries and churches. An itinerant speaker. He is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’ Currently he worships at C3 Subang.
NOTE: This article is a personal reflection of the writer, presented for the edification of our readers. Christianity Malaysia remains neutral and impartial on all inspirational reflections from all writers published on this website.
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Rev Dr Jai Kumar
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