INTRODUCTION:
Lesson learned:
Servant leadership is built on the premise that leaders in both sacred and secular institutions are most effective when the interest of the people they lead or serve is the foremost intent rather than taking power and control of their lives, resources, and properties.
A person cannot be an effective leader when their primary objectives are focused on the perks and privileges they seek to attain.
The context from which this teaching is drawn requires that our leaders in both sacred and secular institutions be groomed for selfless leadership: taking examples from Jesus Christ’s relationship with his disciples.
The central message of this teaching is that in the land of the heathens, leaders love to rule and take control of the lives, resources, and properties of their citizens. Sounds familiar. ?
But that is contrary to true Christian values and virtues regarding leadership because being clothed in the righteousness of God in Christ, our life becomes a living sacrifice to the things of God, rooted in righteousness and liberty. (Romans 6:18; 12:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24)
THE BODY
Servant leadership taking cues from the doctrines and teachings of Christ encourages us to give room to the wise and brightest among us to be our leaders: the ‘crème of the crop’.
From a spiritual perspective, we ought to seek or support persons who fear God as our leaders: primarily, men and women who worship the true God of creation, not the creature. (2 Samuel 23:23, Psalms 115:3-8, Romans 1:25). The requirement is that they present themselves as servant leaders, not rulers. The danger of not adhering to a higher standard is that foolish men and women who do not have the fear of God can begin to take over the affairs of our communities and national interest, which is a recipe for disaster. (Psalms 12:8, Proverbs 11:29)
Servant leadership is the yardstick by which persons who present themselves to be our leaders, should be measured. No better place or system of leadership calls for servant leadership than in the household of God and secular institutions that are led or governed by the will of the people.
Servant leadership based on Christ’s teachings opens our eyes and minds to the truth that without the fear of God, and the spirit of God present in our hearts, human beings oftentimes see other human beings as dispensable.
In other words, some of us see people who are less privileged than us as tools by which we can advance our agenda, rather than serve them.
Servant leadership is then the basis by which a people and a country can prosper in both sacred and secular societies, public and private. Because it is Christ-like living birthed in true Christian values and virtues
In servant leadership, Jesus Christ exposed heathen leaders who oftentimes rule and control the lives and property of their people and citizens, while depriving them of liberty. Why? Because it is compatible with the heathen belief that servants of the people should rule and govern as masters with iron fist rather than with liberty and freedom. And there is ample evidence around the world, that without Salvation in Christ, without a converted heart, people usually find it hard to understand freedom and liberty and be true lovers of their neighbors.
Servant leadership is the proper way to govern or lead a people, and the spirit of Christ in the hearts of true believers makes it easier because it is the Spirit of Christ that enables the light of God to shine on the hearts of converted men and women. (Proverbs 20:27, John 8:12).
Without the light of God, it is impossible for a people to come to the true knowledge and understanding of what liberty and freedom do to human growth and development. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Liberty, and through him, our minds and hearts begin to conform to the ways of God. (John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 3:17).
WHY SERVANT LEADERSHIP
The need for servant leadership is beyond dispute because it has been proven that persons, societies, nations, and people that emulate Jesus Christ’s teachings, true Christian values and virtues, oftentimes are more transparent, friendlier, progressive, obedience to the rule of law, freer, libertarian, and developed than nations and people who neglect Christ teachings.
This is not something we should trivialize or discredit by any fringe or outlandish imaginations, neither should we try to intellectualize it, because there is solid evidence about how people around the world, especially the youths are constantly fleeing to countries that appreciate a life of freedom and Judea Christian doctrines. True love for people and country comes from a Godly heart encapsulated in the law of Christ. (Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 10:4, Galatian 6:2)
Servant leadership is where the spiritual and natural yearning for a comfortable life of contentment meet. (1 Timothy 6:5-8, Hebrews 13:5).
But it will take a clearer understanding by men and women with the fear of God before true contentment and its relationship with having access to the basic things in life mean for the general population.
Yes, we come to this world with nothing, and we are taking nothing back with us when we are done. (1 Timothy 6:7). But that does not justify why people at the dawn of the twenty-first century should continue to live without access to the basic things in life.
To suffer in Christ means that we should be ready to endure the pain we are likely going to encounter because of our faith in Christ, or when we decide or begin to stand up against tyranny and covetousness that render the lives of the weak among us to a life of penury in our communities. It does not say or mean that human beings should lack or be denied access to necessities in life because their reward for a better life is waiting for them in heaven after death. Nobody does that at the dawn of the twenty-first century. That is Bible text stretched and taken out of context. Besides, that word was primarily meant and directed to the apostles, not the listeners or general public by Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:12)
Jesus Christ has fulfilled the scriptures and gave us our victory at the cross, and we should not forget that Christ though rich became poor and suffered so we could be rich. That in itself, is an act of grace we should emulate in lifting people out of real-life poverty as servant leaders. (1Peter 4:12-19, 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, 2 Corinthians 8:9).
Servant leadership is what Jesus Christ demonstrated in practical terms when he washed the feet of his disciples as an example of selfless service we should all emulate in a master-servant relationship, not servant -master relationship.
And what is so interesting and why it is worth our emulation, is what Jesus Christ said after washing his disciple’s feet: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if you do them” (John 13:3-16; 17).
That last statement sums it up on why it is important we lift each other, rather than tearing each other down as human beings since we all are blessed with varying gifts entrusted in us for the benefit of ourselves, others, and our nation.
Servant leadership is the ‘icing on the cake’, because God’s concern for the weak and needy in society, can only be addressed, by men and women with the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:23, Proverbs 19:17, Deuteronomy 15:11). And Jesus Christ is the way and foundation on which the pillars of the church rests. (John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 3:11). Besides, God is moved by nations and people who care for the needy and justice. (Deuteronomy 15:11, Isaiah 1:17-19, Proverbs 19:17, 31:8-9, Micah 6:8, Matthew 6:33-34, Ephesians 4:28, Hebrews 13:16, 1John 3:17)
Servant leadership is built on Jesus Christ’s teachings and doctrines. It saves us from constant unrest prevalent among unbelievers concerning issues relating to good leadership and good governance. The truth is that whenever we follow the word of God, authentically, the more our society and life become better. (Matthew 4:4, John 10:10,14:23)
Jesus Christ has fulfilled scriptures, and all we are called to do moving forward is to live by the word of God that comes to dwell in us having being blessed by the righteousness of God that we inherited spiritually when we become born again in Christ. (Matthew 5:17, John 3:7, 5:39, 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
In secular and sacred institutions, we need servant leaders who do not see the weak and feeble among them as dispensable in society, meant for their use without accountability to God and man. Less we all forget that after death comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
Servant leadership embraces the doctrine and teaching of Jesus Christ in its entirety. In Christ, the fullness and light of God dwell and shine on all persons and people who believe in him, and that is why we can confidently say that we are complete in Christ. (John 1:4, 8:12, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 2:9-10). www.amazon/author/elagministry.com
POINTERS: IN SACRED AND SECULAR INSTITUTIONS FOR CLARITY.
For additional reading, please visit www.https//elagministry.com
FINAL WORD
Lovers of God should fight the good fight of faith to restore servant leadership to both Sacred and Secular leadership. To God be the glory. Amen. (Psalms 108:13, 118:6, Proverbs 28:1, Mark 11:17, John 2:16, Romans 8:31, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2:5: 24-26; 3:1-9)
God Bless
Info and available links to resources at Elag-m ministry
info@elagministry.com
imgjesosgbl@gmail.com
www.amazon.com/author/elagministry.com
