Part two

Psalm 27:1, 11

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?...Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 

 Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee....Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 David trusted God to be his light and for God to discern the way that he should go. David even wrote by revelation how much he trusted God to do this. We can have that same trust in God to tell us what is or isn't right. One of the things that helps us do this in this day and time is leadership. God works in people to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). This is especially true in members of leadership.
Romans 13:1-6, 12-14

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing... The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 This section clearly states that disciples are to be subject to ministers who are ordained of/by God. Now, this isn't to say that people are perfect just because they are in a leadership position, far from it! The Word says that scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, and correction, not people (II Timothy 3:16). However, when the men and women that have committed their lives to leading and serving God's people give people the rightly divided truth of God's Word, their words hold weight. Regardless of who is speaking the Word, it has weight; God works in people to speak the right words. He works mightily in leadership to see the things that are going on behind the scenes. God sees the heart and motivations of individuals, and he tells leadership when things need to be addressed. The gift ministries were given to the church and are operated by individuals who have made the commitment to make their lives gifts to the church.

Ephesians 4:11-15

And he gave some apostles; ans some prophets; and some evangelists; ans some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a stature of the fulness of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ;

 The gift ministries are how God ensures that the household continues growing and maturing. Without them, the household is missing an incredibly important part. The impact that these men and women have because of their stands and hearts to give are forever intertwined with their ability to function. Without them functioning, giving, serving and leading, their functioning is null. Without people with which to function, to whom to give, who they could serve and lead, they are unable to contribute to the church, and the body doesn't grow and mature as God designed. People are the members of the body of Christ. Nothing happens without leadership, and the people are necessary for leaders to lead. Leaders stand up for their people and work hard to keep the household clean (free from negative influences and darkness).



Again, this doesn't mean that the people in positions of leadership are perfect, but it does mean that the rightly-divided Word that they speak and apply is. The Word of God is perfect. It is always perfect, regardless of the source. When leadership is acting based on understanding, inspiration or revelation from God, it is important to listen. I have found that this is an invaluable resource that God has made available, and it helps because personal understanding can sometimes be limited and clouded. God gives perspective to leadership as he works in them to will and to do of his good pleasure. God works mightily in mature believers, and men and women that have been called to lead God's people are mature believers within whom God works. The Word works. It discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Word is what cuts the crap in life. It's what discerns whether something is good or evil. It's what tells whether something is in or out of the realm of God's will. I know that this was a long series, and that it sounded like I was on a soap box, but this is what I've been working, and what has been on my heart.