Steadiness and Steadfastness, Part II
Last month’s article focused on steadiness as an important character trait of a spiritual leader. Those who lead and serve the people of God as pastors, elders, deacons, and in other positions of responsibility for the spiritual well-being and direction of others will not lead well if they themselves are not following and imitating the steadiness of Christ.
The steadiness of Jesus’ life and ministry can be seen in his calm, confident, and consistent manner in which he led his followers, communicated with others, and defended his words and actions. He was God in the flesh, but he was still flesh – a living, physical, and emotional human being – but demonstrated a remarkable self-control.
Chapter 13 in the book of Hebrews contains several significant exhortations and admonitions by the author to his readers. Beginning with verse 5, he writes: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he (Jesus) has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say,
‘The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?’ (Psalm 118:6)
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
That last statement about the eternal sameness of Jesus Christ is what we remember. What we so easily miss is the link between the sameness of Christ and the essential steadiness of leaders in the Body of Christ.
When I think of an unsteady leader in the Bible, I think of Saul, the first king of Israel, and, particularly, his relationship with David. He was up one day, down the next. He loved David one day, hated him the next. He wanted David to play him music one day, threw a javelin at him the next. And his kingdom was taken from him and given to his rival. David, a man flawed like all of us, was a man who possessed steadiness of character.
If steadiness is an essential trait of spiritual leadership, so is its twin – steadfastness. A barometer reads steady when the weather is fair, but when a storm is approaching, it falls quickly. As a leader, it’s easy to remain steady, calm, and consistent when the conditions are stable and safe. Steadfastness is what is required of a leader during turbulent times.
The Scripture makes it plain that in the last days we as God’s people will face a lot of turbulence and tribulation. All of us as Christ followers are called to steadfastness, but the steadfastness of leaders is critical. Bible scholars translate two Greek words as steadfast. One is hedraios, which basically means “standing firm, immoveable.” The other is hupomone, meaning “persevering, patiently enduring.” Circumstances dictate which form of steadfastness applies.
Steadfastness is the example and the rallying cry of spiritual leaders. Mere hours before his crucifixion, Jesus warned his disciples about the perilous times ahead for them and the church. He said, “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life” (Luke 21:12-18).
Writing to the suffering saints that fled the persecution that broke out in Jerusalem, Peter wrote to encourage them, saying, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (I Peter 5:8-11).
Paul held out his own life’s example of steadfastness to the first century saints. Writing to the Philippians from prison in Rome, he said, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have” (Philippians 1:27-30).
Stand firm, brothers and sisters! Be steadfast in the faith!