Christlike Leadership Qualities

            Some people are endowed by God with leadership qualities. What are some of these basic qualities?

The greatest leader of all times is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ. His leadership is beyond compare. Let us dissect some of the outstanding leadership qualities of the Lord Jesus.

Jesus was a problem-solver. Remember that it is written “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble [or problem] (Job 14:1). There is no person on earth who does not have a problem. It could be a big problem or small one, but it is a problem. The number one problem of any human being is how he can attain eternal life (or salvation). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). How can Jesus help someone to attain eternal life?

The Apostle John said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). And this is the ABC of salvation: Acknowledge that you are a sinner, and that you cannot save yourself even though how good you believe or assess you are; Believe that only Jesus Christ is your savior; Confess or admit that you are a sinner, and you need Jesus Christ as your only savior.

The number two problem of man is food, shelter, clothing and the other necessities of life. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all the things you have need of shall be added unto you (Matt. 6:33). The righteousness of God is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:30). “He (God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21 KJV).

There are a thousand and more problems of man, but God (Jesus Christ in person) can solve all these problems. So, a person needs only to be connected with Jesus Christ (God in person) to solve these problems of life. “The righteous (or believer) cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17 NIV). “The righteous man (believer) may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; (vs. 19).

The Lord Jesus Christ was knowledgeable of the canonized Scriptures. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

The greatest book on earth is the Bible. It has outsold every book. It is the Book of God. Whatever this book says, goes, and it will surely and inevitably come to pass. “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the earth, till all be fulfilled” (Matt. 5:18 KJV), said the Lord Jesus.

When the devil tempted Jesus, he quoted scriptures in answer (Luke 4:4, 8 and 12). The Word of God is powerful. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12 KJV).

The Word of God will build our faith in God. “So then faith cometh by hearing (or reading), and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV).

The Lord Jesus was full of wisdom. Wisdom is knowing or discerning between good and bad, and doing what is right. This was what Solomon asked of God when he assumed the Kingship of Israel at the very young age of 20, and God gave him what he asked, with bonus of a “large and understanding heart, riches and honor and long life, if you will walk in my ways, as your father David did walk” (1 Kings 3:9-14).

Jesus never hurried. “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him:” (Psalm 37:7).

Impatience is costly. It cost King Saul his Kingdom which was given to David who was patient and courageous. We are living in an impatient generation. That is why we have fast foods, microwave ovens which will cook our food in a few seconds, instant coffee, etc.

Our greatest mistakes will happen because of impatience. We are always in a hurry. Accidents happen because of impatience. DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo met an accident because he was too in a hurry to go home. Great businesses do not happen overnight. The successful professional in terms of clientele and income do not happen overnight. Life is a marathon, not a 100-meter dash. Jesus refused to be rushed by the emergencies of others. Here is a vivid example.

“1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

⁴ When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days

²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

(John 11:1-6, 21, 23, 43, 44)

Despite his love for his three very close friends, he did not rush to answer the call.

Skilled negotiators teach that waiting is an excellent weapon. Whoever is the most hurried and impatient usually ends up with the worst end of the deal. So, let us be Christlike, let us not hurry.

Successful leaders are patient, meek and humble. Moses was one, as the Bible says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3) yet the Bible describes him “Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of the Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people” (Exodus 11:3). For forty years he was trained in the Egyptian palace. Having killed an Egyptian soldier in defense of a Hebrew citizen (defense of a stranger in our modern legal language) he was forced to leave Egypt and live in the wilderness for 40 years until God personally commissioned him to liberate the Hebrew people who were slaves in Egypt. He was 80 years old when he assumed the office of Liberator of the Hebrew people. He led the Hebrew people for 40 years.

Jesus constantly consulted his heavenly Father. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14). In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus cried, “O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39). Jesus was prayerful and always consulting his Father.

Jesus was very brilliant, even more than a genius. No one could surpass him in brilliance and wisdom. He discussed sensibly with the doctors of laws even while he was yet a child, only 12 years old. But he was and remained humble.

Jesus delegated. Delegation is simply giving others necessary instructions and motivation to complete a particular task. The father-in-law of Moses told him to delegate, and Moses did (Exodus 18:17-26). Moses is one of the greatest leaders of old times, and he did not wear out but lived until the age of 120 years.

Jesus told his disciples to organize the multitude when he gave the loaves and fishes for distribution (Matt. 14:19). He sent his disciples to get a donkey (Matt. 21:2). He sent his disciples into cities to prepare for special meals (Mark 14:12-15). He did not do minor things which are time-consuming and which can be done by somebody else he can trust. Let us learn to delegate, so we will not wear out in our work, especially in our kingdom ministry.

Jesus offered incentives, or gave rewards. A successful leader reward those who help him succeed. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12).

David asked what rewards would come to him if he killed the giant Goliath. He was told he would never have to pay taxes to the kingdom again, and he would be able to marry the king’s daughter. He took five stones and killed the giant. He had motivation and an incentive.

During my term as President of our Chapter, I offered incentives of the best Bible available in Davao city as prize to the member who would be able to invite the most visitors and who will become members of our Chapter. Praise God for those fortunate recipients. By God’s grace I see them faithful in attending our fellowship. At the beginning of the term of President Jun Basalo, he gave an incentive of a 12K gold ring instead of a Bible. And it worked as shown by the increased number of our chapter’s membership. Engr. Eder Bacus won the prize. Praise God and to God be the glory for Engr. Bacus.

There are other qualities of leadership of Jesus Christ, but time and space would not allow me to expose them. The above-mentioned leadership qualities are enough for now.

This election day, may we be guided accordingly in choosing our leaders for this coming year 2013. God bless. To God be the glory.

In summary, a good religious leader is one meek, humble and matured in training like Moses, knowledgeable and skillful in the Word of God, approximating the Lord Jesus Christ only in a manner of speaking; full of wisdom and with a large and understanding heart like King Solomon; courageous like King David; with much patience like Job.

 

(FGBMFI Davao City Chapter Bulletin, October 20, 2012)