It Takes Diligence To Lead God’s People

“if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” — Romans 12:8 NIV

Some say that there are people who’re naturally born leaders. Others say everyone is a leader no matter where they find themselves. But what does the Bible say?

In Paul’s description of some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he said in Romans 12:8 that “… if is to lead, do it diligently.” Now that means that some Christians aren’t just leaders; they carry the anointing of leadership. And this anointing is so powerful that when such carriers of the anointing aren’t around, many duties don’t get well done.

Paul understood that leadership is work. He himself was a leader, having found several churches during his lifetime in ministry. That’s why he was telling us that it takes diligence to lead God’s people. Why? Because it takes a lot of work to bring people on board to follow one vision through discipline.

Many people aren’t disciplined in their lives, not because of upbringing abnormalities, but because of poor leadership. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18a that,

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;… ” — Proverbs 29:18 NKJV

The phrase “cast of restraint” means “a lack of focus.” Look around you. People are misbehaving because they don’t know where God is taking them in the near future. For example, some teenagers get addicted to smoking because there’s no revelation of who God brought them to this world to do or probably because there’s no good leader in their lives to put their energies to purposeful use.

A leader is always a step ahead of the follower. When there’s excellent Christ-centered leadership, everyone on board gets directed to work towards the realisation of the vision in mind in the mind of the ministry, business, company or organisation. But because many people struggle to focus in life, leaders usually overwork, first to participate in the daily activities or tasks about the fulfilment of the vision, and also invest in people by teaching them how to work and live with the vision in focus.

For example, God can give a youth pastor a vision to teach a teenage church how to live godly lives, and that would include a warning against sexual immorality. Because this teaching is vital, anyone who misbehaves brings pain to God and the pastor because such a person gets cast off restraint or loses focus on the vision.

Friend, there’s grace for leadership. You can desire earnestly for it and pray. God will give it to you. However, learn to pray for your leaders because they don’t do just what people see but what leads to what people see.

You’re a blessing.

Prayer

Oh God, I pray that You’ll give me the grace of leadership. So that, through diligence, I’ll lead Your people well to fulfil Your vision. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 033