However gifted, all human leaders remain limited, as President Lincoln’s reply to the Civil War Colonel revealed. That Point also remains true in spiritual leadership, as both Testaments illustrate. However true the Point, Jesus Christ proves the Spiritual Counterpoint.
Multiple examples exist, but using his answer to the man in Luke 12:13-21 as proof, Jesus refused any effort to get involved in issues where God appointed others to rule. The man wanted Jesus to settle a family dispute over inheritance. Note that Jesus didn’t say he couldn’t make such decisions. He did say he wouldn’t. Understand what that meant. While he had command of all human issues, he alone could resolve the root cause of all the problems then, and still, afflicting humanity. He wouldn’t be sidetracked into lesser causes when God sent him ALONE with sovereign power to regain humanity’s lost estate by forgiving the sin that lost it. That’s why Jesus resisted and rebuked whatever way Satan returned to divert him:
And so transparently spiritual did his claim to be a Jewish King impress Pilate, that the Governor knew he posed no threat to Rome. Shamefully, a heathen Roman had a better insight into Christ’s character than religious Jewish leaders. Every question or statement Satan made to divert Jesus in ministry found the same answer Jesus gave in the Wilderness Temptations:
May those who preach the Christ:
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A letter President Lincoln wrote in 1861 to a Colonel of Engineers in the Union Army recently sold for $85,000. He wanted the President to create an Engineering Corps to serve the Federal army’s needs. Admitting his own lack of expertise in the subject, Lincoln agreed to create the Corps should qualified military leaders see the need. San Diego U-T, 7/16/23
The President’s response reflected Jethro’s response when seeing Moses exhaust himself trying to personally resolve Israel’s problems Exodus 18:1 ff. And Robert Schuller’s response to problems: when needing an expert, hire one, don’t try to be one. It also proved Lincoln a true leader. For he admitted limitations in his leadership. By instinct a political genius, Lincoln could foresee and outflank positions his opponents took. But when military issues arose, he deferred to his military. Only when he had Sherman, Farragut and Grant making those decisions did he rest secure in his lack. But…the President’s response is at its best when its spiritual counterpoint is at stake in the hands of JESUS the Christ! End Part I |
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