Leadership is influence. We win or lose by our ability to influence. Over 140 million people voted for President this year. It was almost exactly even, and still counting. Yes, it was the largest turnout in the history of our nation. But here’s something you aren’t hearing, there were still over 50 million votes left on the table! These 50 million people weren’t impressed!
Now that is the natural election but if you’ve followed us for very long you know everything in the natural simply mirrors the spiritual. Jesus called these truths parables. They help us who are spiritual to see the invisible and then do the impossible. We must lead better.
Take a look at this in Romans 13:1: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
If you read the remainder of chapter 13 you’ll see that Paul is speaking of submitting to governmental authorities but did you ever consider what the term governments means? It means family governments, church governments, school governments, etc. It means those placed in authority positions. How we as Christians respond to their leadership matters to God. God didn’t make Daniel or Joseph King; he simply allowed them to have influence with the King and this influence saved lives!
Here is another instance in 1 Peter 5:5:And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches…As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders.
Influence is necessary to lead successfully. Therefore we need people who are decisive and responsible in leadership and we also need people who are responsible and obedient in support roles to submit to these leaders. Don’t you see? The system is intentionally designed to utilize these supporters to become leaders one day. Which one are you today? Most of us own both roles.
Peter encourages us to walk the walk so that others will easily follow our lead. Sadly, the church is lacking in its ability to influence well. On any given Sunday, only 1/3 of the members attend church and yet the Lord commands us to forsake not the assembling. Only 20% of members serve in a ministry. On any given week only 4% of all Christians tithe or give 10% or more to fund the preaching of the gospel and yet God commands the tithe in Malachi 3:10 and many other places (see Matthew 23:23).
The church was created to be the most powerful entity on earth. God placed it on earth for one purpose, to influence people to save people.
Matthew 16:18:Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Luke 10:19:Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
Now that’s Power! It’s influence given to you the believer.Political campaigns, families, schools, and even churches live and die with leadership and leadership is INFLUENCE!
Exercise your influence muscle today. It’s not good enough for only you to do the right thing. You must lead others in doing the right thing.
Our country and our church depend on it. Set a meeting today with someone hungry for God’s truth. Then share it.
(I would like to hear about your mentoring sessions! Email me at gf@gfwatkins.org)
I encourage you to get the book, TEST ME the Malachi Mystery. Click here for this and other materials.
G.F.
