By Very Rev. Nathaniel Garang Aduotdiit
(Proverbs 20:10 NLT)
“False weights and unequal measures— the Lord detests double standards of every kind.”
There is no greater joy in a Father’s heart than a son being trusted and spoken well of. A son that has a reputation is indeed the pride and the crown of his father. In (Phil. 2:22) Paul says “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father, he served with me in the gospel.” Again (Proverbs 10:1) says ” A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” So, Credibility speaks of the believability of a person to a cause or one’s Reputation impacting one’s ability to be believed. Mentoring is one of the biggest ways through which leaders with proven characters have raised over the years. Elijah walked with Elisha, Moses walked hand in hand with Joshua, Jesus mentored the apostles, and Paul walked hand in hand with Timothy!
Apostle Paul again, in a Roman Prison, boasts of a son. He says “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare” Beloved, being a son or having a spiritual mentor, helps young leaders in character formation and credibility. It’s commonly said “Like the Father like son”, when David killed Goliath, Saul couldn’t help but ask in (1 Sam. 17:58)… “Whose son are you, young man?” So David answered, “ I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.” The scriptures haven’t told us much about who Jesse was, but certainly, such heart, character and level of Credibility were nurtured by a great father. Secondly, when Abraham, needed to get a wife for the son, he sent his servant Eliazar to go to their home town, however, he sent him with a deep intercession that God would send a credible lady for marriage for the son. Again, when the servant of Abraham witnessed his prayers being answered just before his eyes as Rebecca fulfils all the terms of his prayers, his question to Rebecca again in (Gen. 24:47) is “…‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.” Thirdly, when Nebuchadnezzar needed to get young men to train as nobles from among the Jewish captives, he followed the same protocol. (Dan. 1:3) says “Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—”
Beloved, it is so evidenced that credibility into greatness is shaped in a home under a father figure. my question to you and me today is, who is your father? How genuine are you to your father? Because a true son resembles the father in character and did. Timothy knew the Heart of his father. His father Paul testifies of him as no one is like him.
So, Duplicity kills the seed of true sonship. In our text today, we read, “the Lord detests double standards of every kind.” When leaders make to bad choice of living and grooming dual ministers, borderline ministers, and half-baked ministers; the future of the work of God comes at stake! Because there will always be time, the lessons a leader has ever taught and learned will be tested on its credibility and authority; because Hebrews 12:26-27 NLT “….God spoke from Mount Sinai…… “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed so that only unshakable things will remain.”
So, duplicity will never stand the test of time and credibility. Let’s build ourselves and the young leaders on a credible foundation.
God bless you.
Very Rev. Nathaniel Garang Aduotdiit is an opinion writer on biblical reality