The below is Lesson 5 from our Leadership Lessons series.
And just a warning – this one may ruffle a feather or two.
LESSON FIVE: It’s painful to obey.
KEY QUESTION: How can you follow and serve to become a better leader?
If you are a Christian leader, this post is for you. If you are a Christian leading Christians (pastor, ministry leader, etc.), this post is especially for you.
If you don’t mind, I need to direct this post a little more in a spiritual direction.
And it might get me in trouble with some of you. Nevertheless, here we go…
Leaders are in charge – mostly. Being a leader means you have followers. Otherwise, you’re just taking a walk.
The sheer presence of followers provides leaders two things we really, really love: power and authority.
Power and authority. Two dangerous bedfellows. Both power and authority are like temptresses, convincing us that what’s best for us (and for those following us) is more of the same. Our desire for power and authority creates an appetite for more power and authority. But like any appetite, having more power and authority doesn’t quench our thirst. The opposite is true. Our appetite grows stronger, causing us to desire and pursue even more power and authority.
The desire for power and authority is as old as time. Or at least as old as the human race. In the beginning, God created man, and man took about a week to disobey God in pursuit of power and authority. Our intrinsic (sinful) pride and greed took control. That same story continues all around us and inside of us.
Let’s talk about each problem individually before we consider a leadership solution.
Leaders Love Power
People love power; therefore, leaders desire it all the same. It seems we will do almost anything to gain a little more control.
Take an honest assessment of the recent behavior seen in self-proclaimed Christians. This example will sound political, but I am using politics only to illustrate.
The love of power has caused our political pursuits to overwhelm our Christian beliefs for far too many Christians.
- Politically, people are changing churches because they want their Sunday morning sermon to match their Monday evening cable new network.
- Political ideology has become more important than sound biblical theology.
- Prominent pastors suckle up to political powers for selfish gain (and power).
- Hate speech spews on social media from users with “follower of Christ” splashed all over their bio.
Let me give you a perfectly poignant example: Recently, the President and his wife were on television tracking Santa on Christmas Eve. Let’s not forget that Christmas when Christians remember that God intervened on our behalf, sending his one and only Son to us in the form of an innocent baby.
The President’s television appearance was all in good fun. It wasn’t political. It wasn’t a power trip. He was simply tracking a jolly fat man bringing presents to children. The show allowed some children callers to speak with the President. At one point, an adult took the phone and thought it “cute” to say on national television in front of children (including his children), “Let’s go Brandon.”
As you know, this statement is code for “F@$& Joe Biden.” He said this on national television (more on this in our “hate for authority segment.”). According to the caller, he was kidding, of course. Good, clean humor.
The backlash from one side of the political aisle was swift. And the caller was surprised by the response. Until “his” side came to his defense. Rather than take responsibility for his actions, in pride and arrogance, what did he do? He took advantage of the moment to grab a little piece of power and prominence. He leaned apologetically for a moment, but that moment only lasted until he realized what he could gain from the moment.
I forgot to mention one thing: This callers social media bio reads, and you guessed it, “follower of Christ.”
Jesus had a lot to say about this sort of behavior. So did Jimi Hendrix:
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” – Jimi Hendrix
Unfortunately, the love of power isn’t our only leadership problem.
Leaders Desire Authority
And, in turn, detest being under authority. Of any kind.
I can say this with plenty of authority because I’m not too fond of living under authority.
You aren’t, either.
None of us like authority. Being under authority means we lose some amount of autonomy. Under authority, we can no longer do what we want with who we want when we want. Therefore, we become victims. But that’s not actually accurate. We act like victims even though we aren’t victims at all. As pretend victims of authority, we lose, or so we believe, our ability to express our individualism.
How ‘unAmerican” of us.
The path created by our desire to maintain authority is dangerous. More, it’s anti-Gospel.
As a follower of Christ, my life calling is to be under God’s authority at all times, in all places, and with all people. Yes, even with the people with whom I disagree. Even with the people who vote differently than me. And, yes, with the person who said “F@$& Joe Biden” to the President on national television in front of children.
When I put my faith in Jesus, I received forgiveness and accepted a calling to live a life worthy of my salvation. To be clear, not to “earn” my salvation, but to live a life of love for others as an overflow from my salvation.
We read this from the Apostle Paul:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:1-2 (NIV)
The desire for authority is sinful. It’s human nature, but it’s not of God.
Let’s revisit our “Let’s go Brandon” caller. Not only was the appetite for power in force, but equally was the desire to be the authority, not be under authority. As a believer, respect for our authority is part of our calling. This is taught throughout Scripture.
Christians are not called, in any way, to desire authority. And don’t give me any “righteous anger” and “Jesus turned over tables” arguments. We both know that doesn’t apply lest we take everything fully out of context.
Here is our calling – and it’s painfully clear:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul gave Jesus’ command legs when he commanded the believers in Rome to submit to authorities.
Every person must obey the leaders of the land. There is no power given but from God, and all leaders are allowed by God. The person who does not obey the leaders of the land is working against what God has done. Anyone who does that will be punished. – Romans 13:1-2
Don’t forget that the first-century believers under Roman rule faced actual victimization. They were beaten and arrested. They were crucified.
Under God (and His Power and Authority)
Of course, people have done some absolutely terrible things under the name of religion. This includes Christianity.
But let’s be clear: There is nothing in Scripture that teaches us to behave in sin. Nothing.
We need to decide – as leaders and as citizens – to either fully follow Christ or stop claiming to be a follower of Christ.
The choice is painfully clear:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. – Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)
Just to be clear, denial of self and “taking up our cross” is a call for Jesus-followers to die to self and, in exchange, live for Christ. In doing so, we find life to the full. In attempting to save our own life (or our country, etc.), we end up losing it all.
It’s Painful to Obey
Our love of power and desire for authority makes Gospel obedience painful.
Obedience means loving others the way Jesus first loved us. It means forgiving people. It means empathizing more than condemning.
This may get me in trouble with a few of you, but it needs to be said: For a Christian, obedience means not using your First Amendment right to lie, spread false information, or spew hate. For a Christian, obedience means empathizing with those in grief rather than posting Second Amendment memes on social media. For a Christian, obedience equals surrendering to Jesus and trusting in our Father in Heaven.
Hence, it’s painful to obey.
Back to Our Key Question
How can you follow and serve to become a better leader?
Not to over-simplify the answer, but:
You live out the Great Commandment every time you choose to love your followers and serve them rather than demand they obey and serve you.
That’s what it looks like to be an authority living and leading under a greater authority.
We don’t see that too much in our world today. We see more and more of the opposite. Let’s be better than the world. Let’s be better than the leaders who seek selfish gain through power and autonomy.
Let’s be leaders who are following the Leader as our authority.
How can I help?
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