Being A Leader!

Being a leader or an example is not an easy burden. If it was, more people would be doing it. To be in a position, in which people are looking to you, carries joy as well as pain. As a pastor, you see and hear things about people, that can be very disappointing. People in whom you place trust, sometimes, misuse that trust and betray it. I find myself wondering how people would feel if I were to treat them like they treat me. It is sad when other believers do not realize that the "golden rule" is a biblically based life principle that must be followed in order to be faithful to God's word.

"Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you" is a scripture found in the bible(Luke 6:31). In addition, "love thy neighbor as thyself" and "love one another, as I have loved you" are commandments from Christ Jesus. Hence, it would be true to say that the "golden rule" IS a good rule to live by.

As a leader, it is necessary, and required that we put up with the failings of others. Paul made this clear in Romans 15:1-3 when he wrote, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

God is glorified in all Christian leaders who demonstrate patience and grace when people fall short of Godly character. We must remember that we are who we are by God's grace, and we do what we do by God's grace.