Bible Students

Linoln was constantly in a political battle during the Civil War against the South. Lincoln eventually began recruiting the black population of the North, who fought for the liberation of the slaves. Christian ministers have much wisdom which can be taken from this. Those who are most effected will likely be the most motivated. When the black population was able to fight in war for their own freedom, how much harder would they fight than the white population who was not fighting for their liberation? Christians can rally others behind their cause through showing others how the cause directly effects them. When something is out of sight, it may also be out of mind. For example, Christians should go on short-term mission trips to understand the need for the gospel in other parts of the world. When this is done, the individual has some inclusion in the problem, and is likely more moved to contribute to missions. 

Additionally, the Christian must not pay attention to those who geer at them. There will always be those who oppose the leadership and direction of the church, and those in leadership should not pay much attention. There are simply those who will always complain, no matter what. Some squeaky wheels can not be oiled enough. Therefore, the Christian should continue to move forward where the Lord is calling them, not paying attention to illegitimate claims. The Christian should, however, pay attention to legitimate claims. 

Lincoln demanded a plan from each of the Confederate States to provide for freed slaves. The Christian should do this as well. Scripture shows that God cares for the foreigner, the slave, and the poor. The Christian is called to care for those who are oppressed in society. All people are created equally in the Image of God, and born both fallen and into a fallen world. Christians must have a humble outlook on life, self, and humanity as a whole in order to show proper care for those who are in the world with them. God cares for the oppressed and the poor of the land, and so should Christians. 

Christians should be retroactive about anticipating cultural changes, just as Lincoln was after the war. Christians should know the times they are in, and carefully study how to contextualize the gospel to those who are around them. The Christian must be one who reached out to others and speaks their language. Lincoln anticipated changes after the Civil War, and quickly began thinking of ways to respond to them before they arrived. In Christian ministry, there are always new challenges, and today there are plenty of new challenges never seen before. Christians must be biblically and culturally conscious to address these well.

Lincoln refused to back down on his beliefs over slavery. He declared he would not allow himself to institute any laws against the newly freed slaves, and that if the people of America demanded it, they would need a new president to do so. The Christian must not back down from their Christian convictions due to peer pressure. The Christian leader, especially, must not give in to the invisible “they” in a church. Often where are groups of “theys” which always have something negative to say. The Christian leader should not allow any discussion of the “theys,” especially when making decisions on matters. The invisible “they” must not be yielded to under any circumstances. 

Lincoln was committed to be a proper president of the people without being motivated by preserving his place in the government. The Christian leader should not play politics in the church in order to stay in power as long as possible, without caring about their character as a leader. Christian leaders should do what is right, even when it is unpopular with those in the church, or even others in church leadership. Additionally, leadership structures and heads should expect their fellow under-shepherds to do what is right in the face of what is popular, not giving in to pressure but doing what Jesus would have done in the situation. 

Lincoln was a wise and crafty man, being a lawyer. Christians are likewise called to be wise as serpents. Christians should seek to be wise in their area. Christian businessmen should seek to be wise in expanding their business for the glory of God. Christian lawyers should seek to be wise in benefiting truthful and righteous defendants for the glory of God. Christian leaders should seek to be wise with expanding the ministry and influence for the glroy of God. Christian leaders should seek to expand the Kingdom of God through God-given wisdom. Christians who are lazy are not wise. Christians who carefully seek the advice of others (including formal education and books), seek knowledge from Scripture, practice intellectual integrity, and seek the wisdom of the Spirit for where the Lord would take them. 

According to Lincoln, an organization with good leadership can overcome just about any situation in life. Christian leaders must aim to be those proper leaders who lead the Christian community through cultural and normative trials, which the sheep need leading through. The Christian community as a whole will suffer when there are not leaders in all kinds of different areas, according to the gifts they were given. Additionally, Christian leaders in their areas must be led by the greatest Leader, Jesus, who leads the church through His Spirit. The church must depend on Christ for her leadership, as He promises to lead them through any situation whatsoever, and into victory. 

In organizations, it often pays well to play the middle-ground. When Christians are in leadership, it may be wise to seek middle-ground between the extremes, when issues are not that of moral weight. For example, Christians on leadership at a church who disagree on the exact method of creation should find the middle-ground to agree that at least God is the one who did it for His own reasons, creating the whole universe and humans for special purposes. Seven-day creationists, theistic evolutionists, and creation agnostics should be able to find a middle-ground if they are seeking to love others well and not needlessly divide the church. 

Lincoln acknowledged his own sinfulness and the responsibility of the nation to care for slaves. He did not desire to judge those of the South to condemnation, as in their circumstances he may have done the same thing. This brings up the common question, “If you grew up in the early 1900s in Germany, would you become a Nazi?” We all choose to sin and choose to hate others. It should be no surprise that horrible large-scale evils have been and are currently present in the world. Everyone is incredibly evil at their core. Lincoln brings to the surface a very apt reflection of himself which many Christians would benefit from.