Follow the Leader! (The 40 Year Old...Part 4)

I know it's been a little bit since the last post of this series, but a lot has gone on since then...like I got stinking MARRIED!!! (That's another blog)  Anyway, here's Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

I think one of the most important things that a man needs to do is lead is to lead by example.  In the military we have a saying that goes, "Lead from the front".  The implication being that a leader gets out in front of those following them and leads the way.

As men we are called to lead.  That leadership must be one based on God's word and geared toward leading others, by example and in righteousness, to Christ.  In Titus 2:7 Paul directs Titus and all of us in this by saying, "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching."


Also in his letter to the Thessalonian church Paul, in talking about living an idle life, says, "For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you." (2 Thes 3:7)


We are called to be Christ's example to the world.  We are called to live lives worthy of God, righteous and set apart as His.  We are called to holiness.  We are called to be different than the world.  The important part about this idea is that this isn't about legalism.  It isn't about blindly following a list of rules that make you look different.  This is about BEING different.  It starts by allowing Christ to change our hearts, transforming and conforming us into His image.


In that we become different from the world...set apart as God's holy nation.  And it starts in our homes.  The way you live your public life should simply be a reflection of your private life.  What your wife and kids see at home (or your parents, other family, roommate) should be the same thing that people see in public.


If your kids never see you open the bible and read it, will they?


If you never pray with your wife, will she know that she can trust you in EVERY part of your marriage?


If you never ask forgiveness from your wife and kids, will they know what responsibility look likes and how grace works?


That's just three of the many questions you should be asking yourself.  Leadership starts in your home and has to be by example.  And our best example died to save us and resurrected so that He could lead us to the Father.


Leading by example,
Bruce