When we look at our society and the church world today, what do we see? Do we see leaders whom God has chosen or do we see the promotion of nepotism and self-appointment?
As a reference, I would remind those reading to re-visit the situation with Adonijah and Solomon when their father (King David) was dying. Adonijah took it upon himself to garner support from those with questionable characters to elevate himself to the throne as king. When God’s anointed priest and prophet refused to support him, he threw a party celebrating his kingship and did not invite the priest or the prophet or Solomon. Later, while they were partying, David kept a promise (as directed by God) to Bathsheba and placed her son, Solomon on the throne as king. When the people at the party found out they were celebrating a self-appointed, not God-anointed king, they quickly left the party and Adonijah was afraid (I Kings 1:32-34–read the entire chapter)
When God first “called” Samuel, he thought it was Eli calling him (his leader, mentor and teacher). Finally, after the third time of mistaking a voice, Eli convinced him that God was calling him to do a great work (I Samuel 3:8).
Peter reminds us that we should “make our calling and election sure” (I Peter 1:10).
More and more people are being misled and misguided by “church leaders” who are self-appointed and not God-anointed. Many of these are using their ministry to pimp the church and they think God is not watching. Just as many “church leaders” are put in positions of authority because of nepotism, not ability and Godly character. We know because we see it everyday. How many people are leading churches because their father did or their grandfather did? How many of these were called or appointed to ministry by their fathers or grandfathers?
The difference in God-called leadership whom He has anointed is remarkably distinctive. God-called leaders hold the heart of the people close to them and are only interested in pleasing God. Self-appointed or nepotism-appointed ministers have only one agenda–how they can use the ministry to benefit themselves. We can all see the difference in those communities where God is actually reverenced over those who are seeking reverence for a “man or woman”.
With whom will God say, “He is well-pleased?” We need to understand and honor God’s choice, more than man’s choice as it pertains to the things and directions of God.
maryhallrayford 