The Long-Suffering Leader (Part 2)

Sharing the Gospel with an interested person is one thing.  Arguing and debating with them is another.  Talking out an issue is good.  Disagreeing and trying to understand one another is good.  However, arguing about the truth is not good and neither is it necessary.  The truth (Jesus) stands alone regardless of whether a heretic thinks they get the last word or not.  The truth STILL stands.  If I spent all my time defending what I believe, I wouldn't have time to do anything else.


If you are a Christian out doing something for Jesus, expect persecution...don't be surprised when it comes.  The Bible says that all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  In sharing Christ on the Internet, we've encountered a variety of people...including atheists and liberals...many of them claiming to be Christian who are Buddhists, Mormons and even Satanists.  They all have one thing in common...they are false prophets who want to share their bad news and misinformation.  


We are commanded NOT to argue with them and I've learned the hard way to obey those commandments.  STRIVING with people will certainly "eat you as a canker" as the Scripture says.  

• 2 Timothy 2:14 "Strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers."
• 2 Timothy 2:16-17 "But shun profane and vain babblings:  for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  And their word will eat as doth a canker..."
• 2 Timothy 2:23 "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."
• Proverbs 26:4-5 "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  Answer a fool according to his folly, let he be wise in his own conceit."

In other words, you have to use wisdom to know when to ignore a fool and when to answer a fool. 

• 2 Timothy 2:24  "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,"

The Lord's servant must not be an argumentative type of person who is ready to come out with guns blazing.  There are many people like that who shoot from the "lip," always ready for an argument.  But the Lord's servant is not out to win arguments; he is not out to squash the opposition or silence dissent by overbearing, heavy-handed approaches.  Rather, he is there to encourage discussion and examination.  He does not put down opponents or resort to name-calling or attacks.  He is not argumentative, not contentious. 


The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) teaches us to walk with gentleness to all.  Steer clear of squabbles.

The Long-suffering Leader (Part 1)

Long-suffering is the ability to love people when they act adversely or don't meet up to our expectations.  

• In every group of people there are some that are chronically "ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7)  A long-suffering leader will be patient with these people.  
• In every group of people there are some who are "weak and feeble-minded" who must be "comforted and supported."  
• In every group of people there are some who will insult, criticize or misunderstand the leader.  

A wise leader must practice the proverb; "A soft answer turneth away wrath."  (Proverbs 15:1) He must learn never to strike back, but to fight evil with good.  


A "long-suffering" leader is one who is dedicated to people's growth over the "long-term."  Of Jesus it is said, "A bruised reed shall he not break and the smoking flax shall he not quench." (Matthew 12:20)


In other words, "a wounded person He shall not hurt, and a struggling believer He shall not take advantage of."


A long-suffering leader will not give up believing in God's people!


The Bible is full of examples of men and women who served with excellence.  King David was one of those leaders.  He was a GREAT leader because he was a GENTLE leader.  He said, "Thy gentleness has made me great." (Psalms 18:35)

GREATNESS comes from GENTLENESS

If you want to be a great leader, you must let God develop the fruit of gentleness in you.  Apostle Paul said: "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us."  (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)


Leaders who think they can get away with treating God's people brutishly are in for a big surprise.  God won't tolerate leaders who treat HIS SHEEP wrong.  "For pastors are become brutish and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered." (Jeremiah 10:21)


Wise leaders lead by example.  Jesus never requires of us something that He doesn't require of Himself.  Paul commanded pastors in 1 Peter 5:3 not to "be lords" (dictators) over god's heritage, but examples of the flock."  


The servant leader should always see himself ON THE BOTTOM LIFTING GOD'S PEOPLE UP rather than ON THE TOP BARKING OUT ORDERS TO PEOPLE.


"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves our servant for Jesus' sake."  (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)


A Godly leader will lead by example in...

• TITHES, OFFERINGS, CHARACTER, COMMITMENT, SUBMISSION to AUTHORITY, LOVE and FORGIVENESS.  

If you want people to follow you in something, simply set the example.  "Be an example to the believers..." (1 Timothy 4:11-16)

• We cannot LEAD where we've never BEEN.
• We cannot teach the 10 Commandments if we aren't living them ourselves.