Biblical View of the Life of a Leader

How well a person leads, is directly a result of how well they learn to follow throughout their lifetime. The life of a leader is a life of healthy imitation - a reflection of the very one who has made us and is faithfully leading us. I have chosen two sources to help us discover a more clear view of the life of a leader: Beginning with various Biblical references from Ephesians 4-6 and Psalm 15, quoted from the New King James Version of the Bible; Secondly, I will quote and refer to the content in the book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene Peterson, hereafter referred to as “Peterson’s Book.” The central theme and charge in Ephesians 4-6 is found in 5:1, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear Children.” A closer look at Paul’s instruction throughout our text clearly provides us with practical principles that we can apply to make this process of “healthy Imitation” a reality, resulting in leadership that advances the Kingdom of God effectively in the daily life of a leader.

Ephesians 4:11-16
God’s desire for healthy, divine-like leadership is seen in Jesus’ own giving of the leadership gifts and anointing to the Church in Ephesians 4:11-16. His rationale of course was to efficiently grow and equip believers into the likeness of Himself. In Peterson’s book (pg 17), concerning spiritual growth and discipleship, a Christians place in the world is best understood in the context of being a “disciple,” as well as being a “pilgrim:” The first expresses life as a learning environment, an apprenticeship that molds us and trains us; while the second concept of pilgrimage expresses life as a journey, a continual movement toward God. This process of growth and momentum in the life of a leader was so important to God that he willingly provided the literal infusion of the first perfect, reproducible and integral leader through His Son, Jesus Christ, who maintained by the act of His own free will perfect obedience, setting a perfect example for all leaders to come. Therefore Christian leaders should be able to safely say as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (NKJV).

Ephesians 5:2-21
There is probably no more important discipline in the life of a leader than “walking” consistently behind the Lord, in His steps. Throughout chapter 5, Paul speaks of the need of you and me “walking” a certain way. He speaks of the importance to “walk in love,” (v2); “walk in light,” (v8); and to “walk in wisdom,” (v15). Love, Light and Wisdom are three specific names of Christ in Scripture. To walk in the steps of Christ is a level of trust and humility that redefines a leader by taking on Christ’s identity. This is no easy course of development. In light of the time and struggle a child encounters simply learning to walk, a leaders lessons in trust and humility is similar. Peterson’s book (pg 154), concerning trust and humility, describes the Christian faith as a childlike trust. The transition a child makes from infancy to young adulthood is messy. God designed it that way. The awkward stages of growth and development of a child are very similar to the life of a believer. In the midst of this awkwardness, God has designed and requires a high level of trust from the trainee. As a leader is recognized and appointed, a continual growth is needed to occur in the areas of trust and humility as the leader consistently follows Christ.

Ephesians 5:22-6:9
In Ephesians 5:22-6:9, Paul continues reaffirming us to imitate God within various aspects of everyday life. Paul teaches that marriage, for instance, only works properly as it genuinely reflects Christ’s unconditional love toward the Church (5:22-33). The high quality and purity of leadership in marriage is paramount to its success, so the system was set in place by God to have such a high level of love in its purest form put into action by His Son. God has set the standard, and we must follow in order for marriage to be all that it was meant to be. Paul continues this line of thought as he implements structure and format into the home and workplace (6:1-9). The standard of leadership and influence has been set in the home and place of business through Christ’s example. Paul’s instruction is for us to simply reflect that standard consistently. Peterson sheds some light on how to apply this in our daily lives: In Peterson’s book, the Christian faith and life is a process of discovering the proper “center” for one’s life, one that would demand our best. Finding that center is the issue, “The Christian faith is the discovery of that center… Christian discipleship is a decision to walk in his ways, steadily and firmly, and then finding that the way integrates all our interests, passions and gifts, our human needs and our eternal aspirations” (pg 34). He goes on to explain that not only discovering that “center” is vital, also remaining in that “center” is the key to a life of influence that is worthy of imitation.

Ephesians 6:10-20
Paul wraps up this imagery of “imitation” in Ephesians 6:10-20, with the daily needed attire for a true follower of Christ who plans in any way to influence others. Putting on the Armor of God is nothing less than the discipline of putting on Christ. With each piece of the armor once again describing not only true attributes of Christ, but actual names of Christ as well. Because of this spiritual insight the armor deals directly with two major issues in most leaders’ lives: identity and insecurity. By intentionally and daily putting Christ on, the leader then has answered all his identity questions and issues. He is literally in Christ, as Christ is in him. The metaphor of armor works perfect for an emphasis on security as well. Insecurity is eliminated when clothed in Christ, covering every major organ and arterial blood flow. Peterson’s Book (pg.85) eloquently touches on this, he states, “People of faith have the same needs for protection and security as anyone else… What is different is that we find that we don’t have to build our own: ‘God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him’ (Ps 46:1).”

In Comparison to Psalm 15
When comparing our passage in Ephesians with the fifteenth Psalm, we see David’s inquiry concerning the qualifications to serve and abide in the presence of the Lord. His own answer in Psalm 15:2-5 describes in great detail similar content and context as we find in Ephesians 5-6. The subject of “walking” intentionally and consistently surfaces in retrospect to every aspect of life. Paul was very familiar with Psalm 15 as a devout Jew and Pharisee. The high standard listed in Psalm 15 was actually impossible to live for such leaders like Paul outside of a life in Christ. That empowered Paul’s message of Grace and true transforming identity in Christ. Paul knew that it was only the work of Christ in his life that now made the requirements listed in Psalm 15 a reality in his life.

In Conclusion
The lists of books are nearly endless on the subject of leadership today. Corporate structures, marketing techniques and manipulation tactics are among a few of the many topics embedded throughout their pages. Much of corporate America, as well as some expressions of church structure, believes that there are truly only two kinds of people that exist: Leaders and followers. We have discovered that this assumption could not be any further from the truth. According to God’s Word, great leadership is a byproduct of a consistent process of following Christ. The leader should then daily be consumed with the willingness of learning how to follow Jesus Christ by drawing near to Him, and obeying what He asks. Others will then be able to safely follow as they in turn learn to lead and influence like Christ.