Dear Rubel,

Your Question (s): What would the Bible say about the manner of life that the leader should have? And what is the result if a leader don't have an excellent manner of life?

My Answer(s): Thank you for your questions. May God bless you for being willing to do right, and to treat everyone right even when it is not to your benefit. If you asked these questions because your "leader" is living a life outside of the Bible on a continue basis (practicing sin), then you should find yourself another congregation to attend. For the Scripture tells us not to keep company with anyone named a brother or sister who has a sinful way of life, we are "not even to eat with such a person" (1 Corinthians 5). If you are referring to some other "leader" in the professing Christian community, then you must remember that not all "professing Christian leaders" are in God’s Church. For Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of all Harlots, her churches grows along with those in God’s Church in them on this evil and adulterous planet, which is spoken of in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3, 6 and 16-18). This Mystery Babylon religion has its own "leaders" who are deceiving the many, for they claim to represent God but they do not (2 Peter 2). God will judge these false teachers and preachers according to their deeds; we as Christians who obey God should avoid these hypocrites who abuse their congregation.

Now, the Holy Bible tells us what manner of life all Christians should live, not just so-called "professing leaders". True, those who profess to be "leaders" in the Christian community shall be judged stricter than others shall. For it is said, "let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). Yes, there are many Scriptures telling us what manner of life "leaders" in God’s Church should have. For instance in 2 Timothy 2, the Spirit tells us to commit the things in God’s word "to faithful men who will be able to teach others also". Yet, what we have in the mystery Babylon religions are persons attending schools and seminaries setup by man to teach the doctrines (rules) of their churches. And many of these persons are not faithful to the word of God nor do they live a life worthy of their position in these churches. In Titus 2, all Christians are admonished to hold to the things that are proper for sound doctrine; such as, older women teaching the young women, young men are to be sober-minded, with a pattern of good works, having integrity in their teaching and doctrine, incorruptible, and having sound speech. Again in 1 Timothy 3, the Scriptures tell us that if a man desires to be a minister then he must blameless, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not greedy for money, not quarrelsome, not covetous (loving money), and he must have a "good testimony among those" outside the Church of God. The Holy Spirit tells us that God has shown us what is good:

Micah 6:8… 8 "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

As for the result of "professing leaders" not living a manner of life worthy of men of God, the name of our Father and God in heaven is blasphemed among unbelievers because of these hypocrites (Romans 2:24). We as Christians are exhorted to count those leaders who rule well to be given double honor, "especially those who labor in the word and doctrine" of God (1 Timothy 5:17). But these hypocrites masquerading as ministers of Christ deserve no honor at all; they deserve to be exposed. For in this we can be sure, God works in all that are His. Therefore, if a person claiming to be a "leader" among the Christian community, and do not bring his mortal body in to subjection, then how can the power of God be in him? For the Spirit clearly says to us as Christians having God’s Spirit in us, that we should "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13). And if these "professing leaders" do not put to death their sins by the power of Christ which should be in them, then we must conclude that Christ do not live in them as they claim and / or they are quenching the Spirit of God (Col. 3 and 1 Thess. 5:19). For those who are born of God, do not practice sin on a continue basis without confessing their sins to God who is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1 and 1 John 3).

Furthermore, those in these "professing leaders" congregations, so-called "their churches" suffer also, in that they are influenced by their sinful behavior causing gossip and divisiveness. For the Spirit says, "do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Cor. 15:33), and "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1 Cor. 5:6). As James 4:1, tells us "wars and fights" come from mankind "desires for pleasure". These "professing leaders" with their corrupt "manner of life" shall reap what they sow. For, God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7-8). And the whole congregation will suffer because of this sin because sin puffs up and cause others to sin. For sin will deceive you into becoming more sinful, evil gets worse when left unchecked, and then it kills (Romans 7:11). We as Christians if we find ourselves around these "so-called professing Christians" must separate from these people, and pray for those who are committing sin, which does not lead to death (1 John 5:16-17). For if you obey sin, then you are not a follower of Christ.

Romans 6:16… "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?"

Below in Luke 12, we see what will happen to the "leaders" who act in a manner not worthy of their position. These "professing leaders" have three punishments depending on their understanding of God’s word. First, the "manager or leader" who says willfully in his heart, "Christ is delaying in His coming", and mistreat Christ’s servants with his bad conduct; Christ says, He will cut this leader "to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers" (v. 45-46). Next, we have the "leader" who knows God’s will but does not do what God "wants will be beaten with many blows" (v. 47). Finally, we have the "leader" "who does not know" God’s will "and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows" (v. 48). Which one is your leader, there is one "leader" who is the "faithful and wise manager" whom Christ have given charge of His servants, and when Christ returns this leader is found watching and ready, doing God’s will (v. 42-44).

Luke 12:41-47… 41 Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" 42 The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Therefore, I exhort you to continue in the faith of Christ our Master and being born of God practice the righteousness from God. Let us not compare our lives among each other, but compare our manner of life with Christ Jesus, examining ourselves to see if indeed Christ lives in us (1 Cor. 11:27-34). Let us separate ourselves from any professing brother or sister who present their lives to be slaves to sin, rather than slaves to God. Ask that God continue to bless you in understanding His Holy word and living a life worthy of His calling. Amen. Praise God.

In Christ Jesus love,

Ron Davis, minister of Christ Jesus