WEDNESDAY January 8, 2020

Practice What You Preach

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

James 3:1-2

The Apostle James gave an exhortation to Christians on having a controlled tongue. In doing so, he also addressed leaders who teach. Teaching God’s Word is a huge responsibility. James taught that if you are called to teach, you had better practice what you preach. There is a far greater judgment that will come to leaders because to much is given much more is required. Think about that! Be holy before God––keep pure. How can you teach and lead others when you cannot lead yourself?

If you are called to lead, then you do not follow people; you lead people. How do you lead people? Simple––it is by following Jesus Christ and by being in submission to Him. Christian leaders must remain aboveboard. They need to meet the qualifications taught in the book of 1Timothy and the book of Titus. Paul’s sermon to the elders in Acts 20 should be taken into account. Take responsibility as a leader––be blameless.

God desires to move in the Church, within the lives of the leadership. In the Church today, I am seeing that there is a missing quality in leadership. We do not have strong, anointed leaders. A leader must be called and anointed by God. It seems many leaders in the Church have their own motives and agendas for being in ministry. Leadership has changed over the years––it is a sad day for the Church.

A leader should never waste time. I encourage leaders to take advantage of every day––every moment––as it could be your last day on earth. If leaders keep that mentality in serving the Lord, they will do well. In heaven, when they come face to face with the Lord, He will say to them, “My Faithful servant, come on in!”

What has the Church gained if it is popular but there is no repentance, no power?

~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!