In Acts 20 we find some of the most stirring words of devotion to Christ and His mission from the Apostle Paul. In addressing the Ephesian elders he says the following:
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will
happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment
and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if
only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the
gospel of the grace of God.
Having been told by the Holy Spirit that suffering awaits him in Jerusalem, Paul does not shrink back, nor flinch. Instead, he makes a statement that encapsulates the heart of true Christian leadership. He says, in effect, that he does not think about himself. Instead, he only wants to finish the work the Lord has laid out for him in spite of the certain hardships to come. If Paul's example is a mark of genuine leadership then a mark of a false leader is this: they will see their life as valuable and precious and will make decisions, both personally and pastorally, that protect their lives and or their possessions.
This kind of self protection is a mark of false leaders because it is the mark of a life not centered on the gospel and the cross. Jesus put is this way,
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his
soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul (Matthew 16:24–26)?
The context of this passage is Peter's confession of Christ as Lord and then, in the same conversation, his rebuke from Jesus. Jesus stated that He was going to suffer, die and rise again (16:21). Peter, in genuine sincerity, told Jesus that he was having no such thing take place and Jesus rebuked him: "But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Matthew 16:23)! It was not the Peter was Satan but that his self-centered desire to have Jesus always with him was not simply wrong but a hinderance to the mission of Christ.
From the words of our Lord as well as the example of Paul we see that a godly leader must have as his focus the glory of God and not the preservation of the comforts of this life. When a leader is faced with making a choice between the cross and comfort who they really are will be seen in their decision.
When Paul was told about a prophecy that detailed his imprisonment and potential death those who heard this urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Paul's responds: "...What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
Paul had not concern about his life. The mission of God in and through Christ was all that mattered to him even at the cost of his own life. False leaders will not willingly follow Christ's lead and calling to hard places. They will avoid these at all costs. They will not be among those "men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus" Christ (Acts 15:26).
Those of us who lead must know that our lives are to be, like Paul's, a moral example of not simply humility and holiness but courage. Those who follow us should see examples of leaders who increase in their conviction and boldness to stand strong for Christ even at the risk of our lives (physical, material, professional, etc). This is not easy. It takes the increasing measure of the Spirit of the Lord to rise to this standard; but it is a non-negotiable for many eyes are on us.
Before the Hebrew writer calls the congregation to "obey your leaders" (Hebrews 13:17) he makes this charge:"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7, emphasis added). Only leaders whose way of life is worthy of imitation have the moral right to be obeyed.
Leaders who love comfort are not such leaders. How can they be? Pastors, above all, should model the cross-life!