When one considers mainstream Christendom’s view of leaders, they are usually seen as the Clergy (Catholic and offshoots) or Pastors and Elders (Protestant and offshoots) These positions can easily be traced back thousands and thousands of years – as an example, to the earliest theologians, or much farther if you care to look at wordly hierarchical systems of government.

Nevertheless, each church or religious faction zealously uphold their view of who and what constitutes leadership. In virtually every instance, it is the man, the fleshly man, that exercises authority over another man. But what did Christ have to say about this? The scriptures are expressly clear; Mark 10:42 records Jesus saying:
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43″But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”

Furthermore, Matthew 8 says “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.”

Naturally, if one were to present these scriptures to followers or leaders in churches anywhere, they will say that the existing “leaders” of their particular church emphatically do NOT lord anything over anyone. But such an argument merely misses the point that Jesus was saying: Christ’s church is not at all reflected by worldly authority of any kind! Jesus didn’t say to rule in such and such a way, or to do it carefully, or to do it respectfully (not that carnal humans are capable of that anyway). Rather, Jesus said not to do it at all!

In relation to Christ’s message to the seven churches in Revelation, I strongly feel that the overcomers are the leaders of Christ’s church. It is they that lay down their lives to be buried in Christ. It is they who are persecuted and cast from the synagogues (Is 66:5/Matt 24:9) for speaking truth.

It is they that lay down their lives for Christ (Rom 6:3-11) and sacrifice themselves even loving those who hate them (John 15:13/Matt 5:44) Scriptures such as these, so often repeated, have become catchphrases to the point that their meaning is almost lost. Such character can only come from Christ, and such faith certainly is worthy of imitation!

Thus, it would be prudent to be cautious of men who appoint themselves as leaders. Jesus said that you would know them by their fruits. If their fruits are constituted by a love of respect, power, image, money, etc and a lack of love, humility and teachability (and look carefully because evil fruit like these are very cleverly concealed) then you should know they have not sacrificed their lives for Christ and certainly won’t do so for you or anyone else.

Finally, be at peace, because Christ’s great love for us will reconcile all of us to Him. Romans 5:19 states “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many (all, because all have sinned) were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many (same as above: all) be made righteous.”

Though reconciliation to Him means undergoing purification by fire (Heb 12:29) we know that our Lord and God is victorious over all and through all. Praise be to God in the Highest!