Who Are We Following? (Colossians 1:18)

By: Naomi Middleton

In our fast-paced social media world, news travels swiftly, and unfortunately, bad news seems to spread even faster. One of the most troubling trends is the frequent exposure of scandals involving Christian leaders. Each story is deeply tragic and sobering, not only because of the personal failings of these individuals but also due to the broader impact their actions have on the church community.

When leaders fall, it often triggers a wave of disillusionment and departure from the church. People may point to the leaders' behavior and declare, "If this is what Christianity looks like, I want nothing to do with it." While it is crucial for these leaders to take responsibility for their actions, their failures also offer important lessons about human nature and the nature of leadership. These situations remind us of the profound impact that leaders' actions can have on the faith and trust of the community. They highlight the need for humility, accountability, and a deeper understanding of the inherent flaws in all people, including those in positions of spiritual authority.

So, what can we learn about these failures?

Humanity Was Not Created For Fame

Humanity was never designed for the weight of fame. From the outset, our purpose was to glorify God and to make His name known, not to seek personal glory or recognition. Essentially, we were not created to handle the burden of fame. Our true calling is to live in a way that magnifies God’s glory rather than our own.

As Isaiah 43:7 reminds us: “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

While fame and success are not inherently sinful, the pursuit and maintenance of fame come with significant dangers and temptations. The allure of fame often shifts our focus from glorifying God to elevating ourselves. It can foster an unhealthy reliance on our own achievements and abilities rather than trusting in God’s provision and guidance. The temptations of pride and self-sufficiency can overshadow our call to live humbly and dependently on God.

The Bible provides clear examples of how the pursuit of personal recognition can corrupt even those with strong faith. Figures like King Saul and Solomon, initially chosen and blessed by God, struggled with the pressures and temptations of their prominent positions. Their stories serve as cautionary tales, illustrating that the spotlight can bring overwhelming pressure and lead to spiritual downfall. When fame becomes our focus, it can distort our priorities and draw us away from the humility and dependence on God that we are meant to embody.

God Tears Idols Down

Throughout Scripture, God is consistently at work dismantling the idols in His people's lives. His desire is not only for their worship but also for their understanding that idols will inevitably lead to disappointment. While we may no longer craft golden calves, we often place more hope in leaders than in Christ.

Though God does not cause people to sin, scandals have a way of dismantling the idols within the Church. Leadership failures, while painful and disheartening, should not shatter our faith. Instead, they should serve to dismantle our misplaced trust and redirect our focus to Christ.

Follow Christ, Not Men

Just as humanity was not created for fame, the Church was never meant to follow mere men or women. In our physical world, it can be easy to place our hope in the visible leaders around us rather than in the eternal God. However, the Church is called to follow Christ alone.

As Colossians 1:18 states, “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” Christ is the head, the source of life, and the leader of the Church. He alone is steadfast and faithful, never to disappoint.

Church leaders have a crucial role in guiding and directing the flock, consistently pointing others to Christ. When we witness leaders faltering, it should not cause our faith to collapse. Instead, it should remind us that Christ is the true head of the Church, not any fallen human.

Leaders are indeed expected to be held to high standards and serve as examples, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” However, our faith should not be dependent on the actions or faithfulness of leaders. Both leaders and members must be vigilant about who they follow and where their ultimate hope rests. Ultimately, the critical question we need to ask ourselves is, “Who are we following?”