Welcome to another week of the Transformation Leadership Series (TLS). For weeks now, we have been learning about transformational leadership from leaders who shaped their countries such as Jiang Zemin, John Adams and George Washington. All of these men believed that religion, morals and values are the foundation for good governance that leads to prosperity. Today we will discuss what specific values or characteristics of religion and morality that promote godly rule or leadership. Consider the following scriptures:
Proverbs 29:2 (AMPC) When the [uncompromisingly] righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.
Proverbs 11:11 (AMPC) By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God’s favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
These two scriptures explain the mystery of righteousness or uprightness. It makes a city or country rejoice because it exalts the country.
Proverbs 28:28 (AMPC) When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become many. [Pro 28:12]
Why is this so? How come righteousness exalts a nation? Why is it the secret that propelled the West to greatness as per the books of professors referenced in the posts preceding this one. The answer is really simple. It is the manufacturer of a product who knows best how that product functions and therefore puts the instructions for use in a user manual.
Created beings are all users of the universe but the manufacturer is God Almighty and when it comes to governance, He has stated categorically in the manual of the universe that:
Psalms 97:2 (AMPC) Clouds and darkness are round about Him [as at Sinai]; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. [Exo 19:9]
Psalms 89:14 (AMPC) Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and loving-kindness and truth go before Your face.
A throne is a royal seat; a chair of state which symbolizes the seat of governance or leadership of a nation. In the foregoing verses, God explains that the throne of his Kingdom can only be founded upon righteousness and justice. It is easy to discern the nature of a throne over a nation. Simply ask the question, does the governance from the throne that governs the nation embody and express righteousness and justice or unrighteousness and justice? If the former, then the state or country will be exalted and the people rejoice. If the latter. then the people will mourn and the country is overthrown. Overthrown simply means the country develops backwards instead of forwards or progressively.
So what values must a leader pursue if they want to be a transformational leader? The answer is righteousness and justice. Is it any wonder the Holy Scriptures encourage all those who will be royal priests or kings and priests unto God to seek first his Kingdom and His Righteousness? It pays to be a leader who is righteous. Righteousness has many benefits listed below for any aspiring transformational leader.
Psalms 92:12-15 (AMPC)
12 The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].
13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].
15 [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. [Rom 9:14]
