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inferences, firm, incisive and rigid control--to be a manager then I
believe I would be an abject failure in my biblical and Christian res
ponsibility as given by Jesus Christ.
If one wishes to have a good guide on how to work with, inter
relate to, motivate, lead, organize and manage others, I believe there
is none better than Galatians 5:22, 23 which movingly describes the
fruits of God's Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, God's Son, our Savior, and our example
was the only person to live a perfect human existence. Whatever He
did
in
whatever capacity was proper and right. He understood the mind
of man. He knew what the effect of His words, actions, reactions,
directions, corrections, rebukes, etc. would have on those He was
addressing. He conducted Himself accordingly at all times. Christ
knew the enormous value of a major concept tha�M�Herbert Armstrong
has repeatedly drummed into the heads of us ministers. Mr. Armstrong
has often said that there is nothing much worse than to demoralize,
take the heart out of, beat down, make to feel like a whipped dog,
utterly discourage and make to feel totally useless--a 100% total fail
ure--another fellow human being.
Jesus Christ knew this truth and without any doubt practiced it.
While He did not condone wrong, did not attempt to make the enormity
of sin and rebellion any less enormous, He did always understand the
circumstances, causative factors, humanness and weakness of fleshly man,
and dealt with those around him in perfect love.
I once heard that a man corrected a group of students at Ambassador
College so sternly, with such rebuke and with such effective and cutting
words that one student literally "wet" himself while standing there at
near attention. A minister who would do this might walk away feeling
"that showed'em!", "I guess they'll remember that chewing out," he
might feel rather proud of his strength and position of authority.
Frankly, I feel that action was abominable, cheap and the epitome of
weakness in not knowing how to deal with fellowmen.
When Jesus saw the desecration of the Temple--God's House--He went
storming in and corrected the contemptible disrespect being perpetra
ted against His Father in heaven. Firmness was called for and firmness
was the way He dealt with the problem.
When a woman actually caught in the very act of adultery was
brought before Jesus, He perceived the need for a different kind of
approach and He dealt with her that way. He was gentle, acted with
compassion and yet did not condone nor make less the sin. I have often
wondered what some of our ministers might have done in a circumstance
similar to this. I believe I can see and hear s2,rne giving "strong
rebuke" in an overzealous, indignant attitude, even disfellowshiping
her for at least a few months, perhaps even demanding the lady to go
into details describing the number of offenses, the methods, the names
of the partners, perhaps even "casting the first stone," etc.
Personally, I think Jesus' attitude and actions are a perfect model.
He knew what was needed, He was loving, tolerant, considerate yet
gently corrective. If Jesus was "soft and weak" in His attitude here
--then let me be as weak as He was!