Look at the resume and work record of the Lord Jesus Christ, then submit to the Lord and allow Him to guide your steps. “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go” (Isa. 48:17). It is beneficial to follow leaders, like the apostles, who followed Christ.
The time is long past for us to choose who to follow. Suffice it to say we can choose to follow good or evil. Elections took place this year, from school boards to senators in the United States Congress. I tell you this because voting is vital to choosing and following good examples. Women and people of color fought hard and are still fighting for the privilege to say who sits in leadership positions in the church and at the highest levels of authority in our nation. Leadership is not just a worldly issue; it is also a godly issue. Therefore, we urge you to be serious about who you choose to follow with your vote. We need to be careful of who we elect to positions of authority.
Identify those who cause division and oppose justice, then do your part to ensure they do not get into positions of power. “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (Prov. 29:2). We should do our part to elect wise and experienced leaders. We need leaders who strive to build a world on the foundation of the Lord without prejudice or partiality. Leaders not living by faith have no problem building on another foundation with lies and fake resumes. The cracks are multiplying in the foundation of our nation and the world. Too many leaders allow sin to grow at an outrageous pace. We no longer blush when we see evil; instead, we rename it, defend it, and even promote it! Do not be deceived; this is also happening in the church.
Remember that song, “Go Back to the Old Landmark;” well, we need to go back to the beginning and elect people that God wants in leadership positions. Scripture tells us that God said: “choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads” (Deut. 1:13). Do you see how God included the people in the selection process? We still have that responsibility because Christ came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17).
A follower of Christ does not live on the outer boundaries of the law, making excuses for not being perfect. We do not go home to an island where evil does not dwell; therefore, we need to elect able leaders who fear God and will lead and govern righteously. “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14)!
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
