LEADERS ARE LOVERS

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.  (Psalm 16:3)

Jesus loved the church and died for it.  If I am to follow Him, then I must do the same.  I must love the people of God by pouring out my life for them.  I must confess, however, that the way I think about God’s people sometimes is shameful.  Listen in to some conversations that pastors have about members—the putdowns and pejoratives are unworthy of expression, yet out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Think of it this way.  I love my children. That love means I do not sweep their sins under the carpet.  It does not mean I do not confront them, correct them, and even chasten them.  Indeed, if I love them, I will!  Yet, I do not air my family’s dirty laundry in public.  It does no good to talk to others about something they are powerless to fix.  Do I not want others to think the best about my loved ones?  That does not mean I embellish their errors, but I maximize their good, while speaking directly to them about their issues.  If I am that way with my biological family, then it follows I ought to treat my church family similarly.

I can be guilty of focusing more on people’s problems rather than their potential.  Jesus called Peter a “rock," long before he was one.  He saw beyond the lump of coal to the diamond He would form through time, heat, and pressure!  Aren’t we thankful God so deals with us?  Perhaps, like Jesus, we should see the saints that way.  Who is a saint?  Well, anybody who has received Christ as Lord and Savior.  I know we don’t always behave saintly.  Someone has well said,

            To live up above with saints that we love—that will be glory;

            To dwell here below with saints that we know—that’s another story!

We sympathize, but we can choose a better way.  David did as a leader of God’s people.  He chose to see them as excellent ones and to express delight in them.  As leaders of God’s church, we must do the same.  Pastors will complain about the criticisms they receive, but maybe the way to end some of that is to refuse to follow the same path by being critical of church members.

Leaders are lovers.  Will you ask God to help you be that kind of leader?  I know I am going to spend some time today searching my own heart and seeking this first fruit of the Spirit.