Although the world presents to us many different characteristics that every leader should have in order for us to be successful, many of these characteristics aren't the ones Christian leaders should have. These characteristics merely help us make it big in the world.
But if we want to succeed in the sight of God, we've got to have the characteristics that He wants for us – characteristics that are not of the world.
That said, would you want to be successful in the Kingdom of God? If you do, then I have something to share with you.
3 characteristics of a successful Christian leader
Christians who wish to see God-given success in their lives should have Godly characteristics. Here are some things every Christian leader needs to have.
1) Fully dependent in God and obedient to His word
First, any Christian who wants to see success should depend on the Lord and obey Him for it. We find one of the most successful people in the Bible exhibiting this: Joshua. Right at the start of his leadership, God told him,
"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)
Joshua believed God and obeyed His word, and so saw the victory that only God could give.
2) Able to stay focused on God's word
A God-given laser-focus on God's word is essential to God-given success. This doesn't mean simply sticking to a vision, but it means sticking to God's word through thick or thin, and good or bad, no matter how exciting other things may seem.
"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." (Joshua 1:7)
Some might say that this is plain religious, but it's not. It actually allows us to live a live free from sin, which ensures nothing but failure.
"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:9-11)
Leaders who are unable to focus will end up spending a lot of time and energy on worthless or unimportant things. Allowing God's word to limit our boundaries and tell us what to do really helps.
3) Is sustained by God's word
Perhaps you might be thinking right now, "will this writer ever stop saying it's about God's word?" No, I cannot. God's word is the supreme and final authority that enables all of us to live lives that are fruitful, successful, and full!
Consider what the apostle Paul said about it:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Lord Jesus, who we consider to be our Champion who won the victory over sin and death for us, is the most successful person in the entire universe. He succeeded in doing what no man can ever do: live a sinless life and fulfill the whole will of God for Him.
The Bible tells us that He was just a man like us, but He was able to do what He did. What was His secret? What sustained Him?
"Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.'" (John 4:34)
The Lord Jesus Himself said that the Father's will was His "food." The Bible tells us that He spent a lot of time with His Father in prayer, and in just a short period of time in ministry, He fulfilled His destiny to save us all and provide the only way for us to be reconciled with God.
Here are some more passages that speak about Christ's obedience to His Father's word:
- "Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19)
- "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." (John 6:38)
- "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8)
Christ is the ultimate example. Let's all learn to be like Him. Let's start doing this by getting to know Him through the word.
I hope this helps you, friends. May you grow in Christ-like leadership.
