15 June 2014 by Rev Dr Jai Kumar –
ARE YOU WHAT YOU SAY YOU ARE?
In other words our words and our deeds should match to what we are projecting to the world. What we are claiming to be to the world. You can say a thousand things with your lips but if your life doesn’t match with what you say nobody will trust you and believe in you.
But unfortunately, it’s extremely disappointing to find many people of such character today. Because people are not what they say they are today even among Christian leader’s.
The Greek philosopher Socrates said :” The key to greatness is to be in reality of who we appear to be.” A man of your word! What you say is what you are! What he is saying is that don’t be a cheat! Saying one thing with your lips and pretending to be something you are not. And don’t ever think you are smart by doing that!
There are Christians who are very Christ-like inside the church but when you take them outside the church they are worst than the devil. The bible calls such people hypocrites.
Please listen to me! Your appearance must conform to the reality of your character. If you are a leader without such character than you are out of order in ministry!!
HOW CAN YOU EXPECT PEOPLE TO FOLLOW YOU
Remember as leaders you need to build trust among your people. Your integrity will build trust with the people you are leading. If God has called you in His ministry then you must be a people of integrity and character! A people called by His name that reflects His heart.
We got to have one character both inside the church and outside the church for people to follow you and trust you.
THE SUPREME QUALITY OF A LEADER IS UNQUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY
Without it you will be heading nowhere. Without it you will not be able to influence anybody! You will become unpopular! Without it nobody will submit and 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. In today’s world people are concerned about building their own “self image.”We call such people image builders. They will go to any extend and even use the pulpit to accomplish this purpose.
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 DONT CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK”
Some leaders think I don’t care what people think of me. I can do what I want and what I like and I get away with it. The most dangerous place to take the people for granted is the Church of God. The anointing will reveal every flaw of a leader in ministry no matter how cleverly you try to manicure yourself.
This is the very reason why many ministries and leaders have been defeated today. Because the enemy is waiting like a prowling lion for such open doors to destroy such people.
Leaders must be submissive with a teachable spirit. To take criticism with a positive attitude to check and balance. Not to be sensitive! Not to be defensive when something is not right and brought to your attention. A good leader will have the boldness to address the issue instead of sweeping things under the carpet and pretend that “all is well.”
Matt. 16:6
“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees”
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 such a spirit that can subtly creep into you if you are not careful.
GOD‘S WORD NEED NO INNOVATION
Have you ever realised that everything created by man need to change and innovate from time to time in order to suit civilisation’s demand. That’s because man is an imperfect being, therefore whatever man creates becomes out-dated and out of fashion in time.
But you know what is happening in ministry and churches today? People are changing the Word of God to suit their own convenience and circumstances.
God’s Word need no change!! Forever 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. “I am The Lord , I change not” Mal.3:6 God is unchangeable. God’s word is unchangeable too.
In Matthew 24:35, the Lord Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
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. You carry a spiritual power that is so contagious.
WHAT DO PEOPLE LOOK FOR IN A LEADER
You can say a 100 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 the church.
Perhaps you are caught up in a situation, perhaps you are wondering if what you are attempting to do is right or wrong. 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 IT WAS YOU?’ 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 environment or 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.
Someone said: WHEN WEALTH IS LOST NOTHING IS LOST. WHEN HEALTH IS LOST SOMETHING IS LOST. WHEN CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY IS LOST, ALL IS LOST.
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.
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 as a result of yielding ourselves to Christ. When I yield to Christ, I allow Him to mould me into His image and character.
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is also the representative of Faith International Bible School for Malaysia & Singapore. He is the founder and senior pastor of Full Gospel Outreach Ministry KL, a member of ECCM, Spiritual Adviser & overseer of Full Gospel Christian Church KL. Co-founder and adviser of Kingdom Christian Fellowship, Subang Jaya, he is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’
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References for pictures
http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2×4004984/father_and_son_silhouette_1823021.jpg
http://www.quamnet.com/UserFiles/Article/20130322/ZH_TW/Socrates%20status_Athens.jpg
http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DiscipleshipTitle.jpg
http://ahhamoments.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/a9m7dsxcqaag42u.jpg
http://www.myyearoffaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bible-words-of-eternal-life.jpg
http://circle.adventist.org/files/download/Integrity.jpg
http://calebparker.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/leadership1.jpg
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