Do others see you as unwavering in your devotion to God? (113-4)

Leaders can never call others to a greater level of commitment than they themselves possess. Read 2 Chronicles 29:4-11.

Hezekiah became king of an ungodly people based on the practices of his father Ahaz’s rule. He had even seen his brothers given as human sacrifice to his father’s superstitions and fears. He believed in the one true God of Israel and determined to lead the people back to faithful worship of this God. He determined to re-establish the temple as the center of worship and to bring back the keepers of the temple, those who could do the work required to keep the temple and rightfully offer sacrifices – the priests and Levites his father had banished from Jerusalem.

Hezekiah knew that if the priests and Levites, his religious leaders, were to lead the people into holiness and worship, they would need to have their own lives consecrated to God. He required the priests and Levites to consecrate themselves. He reminded them of their high calling and that they would be instrumental in returning God’s blessing to a devastated land. He directed them to consecrate the temple and remove everything that defiled it. Hezekiah understood that dedication to God goes hand-in-hand with the removal of polluted objects from their environment and practices from their life. When a leader commits their life to God, it follows that their environment and life should be transformed to fit their core beliefs.

Christian leaders must be unwavering in their devotion to God. As they communicate their vision to their team, their lifestyle and leadership style need to reflect that dedication in a way that inspires others to follow God’s calling through their leadership. If several people on the team have the same attitude, positive or negative, it’s probable they are getting that attitude from the leader’s lifestyle. How are you doing modeling this principle?