Stepping Up To The Line
All of us love the story of seeing a leader step up to the plate in the biggest of moments. Whether that be in the sports world, business, militarily, in the family, or in civil government, we all respect seeing a leader who knows how to act with excellence and conviction. The basketball player who is the team leader steps up at the last second to drill the three-pointer to win the game. Maybe it is the businessman who steps into a company that is failing and turns it around providing jobs in his community as he does his craft with excellence to the glory of God. It could be that person in your family who everyone knows they can go to for advice or wisdom. In every realm of life, we are grateful for those who actually “step to the line” and know how to put application to their leadership.
This involves more than just theoretical guidance and direction of life. Someone who talks about great business ideas but does not execute their implementation might excel at generating thoughts, but will not succeed as a leader. They have no clue how to guide people into successful implementation. The same is true of a man leading his wife and family. It is vital for him to lead her and his kids in understanding the depths of biblical doctrine. However, he must go even further to actually guide into a living out of the truth they know to be true. If a man is to be faithful, he must lead in both understanding and application of the Word of God. He must show his kids the biblical teaching as to what it means to be focused and then help them concretely apply that in their studies and work. Real leaders do not just talk about stepping to the line, nor do they merely think about it, they actually take the ball and step up.
Living Out Real Leadership
One of the most insightful sections of Scripture in learning how to lead in a way that honors God is the pastoral epistles. Pastors are called to shepherd the flock of God over which He has given them oversight (1 Peter 5:2). The epistles of Paul to Titus and Timothy give concrete direction as to how to lead in a way that points souls to Christ. Paul calls on Titus to:
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” -Titus 1:5
Putting what remained in order is the call of biblical leadership. We are to pursue everything in order to who God is and what He has commanded. This is why a husband is called to love his wife as Christ loved the church sanctifying her by the washing of the Word (Ephesians 5:25-27). He is to seek sanctification himself as his own soul is being put into increasing submission (and order) to Christ while realizing the explicit call of Scripture is for him to lead his wife in this pursuit of the Lord as well. This call is why you see faithful kings in the Old Testament like Josiah seeking to apply the law of God by putting everything in the nation of Israel in order according to it (2 Kings 22-23). Whether it be in the public square, in the church, or in the home, a leader is to seek to bring everything into order underneath what God has revealed in His Word. This will mean actual and applicable changes in leadership. It is not simply mouthing from the pulpit about Scripture being authoritative, it is actually seeking to put it into practice. Hence the call to Titus to appoint elders in every town. Scripture gives concrete directions. In some churches that will mean encouraging more evangelistic outreach. Others will need their membership process reformed. It could be that the church is in dire financial straits and needs to be guided into biblical financial management. These, and countless others, are all practical areas where transformative leadership grounded in biblical conviction hits the ground. Even as the pastor teaches and ministers according to the Word, Paul places a very important guideline to remember:
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” -2 Timothy 4:1-2
Note well the patience portion of this text. Patience is not passivity, patience is the ability to rest in the timing of God and have the wisdom to see His timing and act according to it. There very well may be a need for a pastor to preach for a few years before guiding the church into practical action steps because a foundation needs to be laid before they will be able to see the path ahead. You have to teach them how to biblically practice financial management before they will begin to do so. Patience is key!
The call of Scripture to leaders is to lead in such a way that brings the world into submission to the order of God. There will be times when they need to confront sin in a direct manner. Other times there will need to be a gentler approach or maybe even a more long-term building that takes place. Paul needed to immediately confront Peter for his error in while there was no way Nehemiah could build the wall overnight (see Galatians 2 and Nehemiah). A leader guided by Scripture and determined to concretely apply it will be empowered by the Spirit of God to know how to lead. May He direct us in this good work for His glory!
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