Worldly leaders are superficially selfless and compassionate – just like the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ time -- but are frequently like “whited sepulchres … beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness.”
Such leaders, Jesus said, “outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within … are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27-28).
Such leaders – in Jesus’ day and now – are ultimately self-serving, self-engrandizing and self-indulgent, even while proclaiming godly values in public.
Many of our society’s leaders are renowned womanizers, while portraying themselves to be faithful, loving fathers and husbands. Many bow to special interests and vote any way necessary to be re-elected, no matter the impact on individuals or on society. Power is what matters to them.
In contrast, godly leadership is founded in humility and self-discipline, developed with love and consecration to God, and culminates in inspiration and power. Godly leadership is that which Jesus demonstrated throughout his life.
There was a dispute among Jesus’ disciples over who would be the greatest among them. Jesus rebuked their pride and taught: “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
Jesus demonstrated his teaching as he dined his last time in mortality with his apostles. He laid aside his garments, girded himself with a towel and, taking a bowl of water, knelt before each disciple to wash his feet.
When done, he said, “Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-17). …
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another,” he continued (John13:34-35). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:12-14).
Later John wrote: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. … And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as (God) is pure….
“Whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:1-17).
Many of us are afraid to stand up for our beliefs and our values, but John goes on: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. … He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
If we love God, John continues, we will naturally do our Father’s will. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:2-3).
And if we are willing to keep God’s commandments, serve with love, and pray with faith, Jesus said we would be endowed with power. He would open the way before us in our service to mankind.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,” (John 14:12-14).
But John added: “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another” (1 John 3:22-23).
God needs us to step forward and take a role in our society – but to be godly leaders, as were many of America’s Founding Fathers, who trusted God and consecrated their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to doing what they felt was right – no matter the cost to them personally.
When Benjamin Franklin saw the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were at a loggerhead, he reminded them of how God had performed miracles in helping America defeat the greatest military power on earth to gain our freedom.
“Our prayers, Sir, were heard. … All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. … In this situation … how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights?…Have we forgotten this powerful friend?” Franklin asked. The convention then began daily prayer for guidance.
The result? Fellow delegate Benjamin Rush said the Constitution was “as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testaments.”
President George Washington said the hand of the Lord was seen so clearly in the establishment of America that of all people who have ever lived on earth, “no people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.”
As we face the many challenges of our times, do we have access to God? Are we worthy to call down the inspiration and power of heaven? Do we ask for these blessings in humility? Are we willing to apply them devoutly in the service of others?
The Lord is depending on us to provide godly leadership to our world. May we see his hand in our lives today as in years gone by.