28th April 2020 ESOCS Daily Devotional
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-18
MEMORY VERSE
“For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed – lest I seem to terrify you by letters.” 2Corinthians 20:8-9
Christian leadership is one in which authority is used to build up believers for God, rather than discourage them. Paul exemplifies a Christian leader. The Scripture calls us to imitate him when we occupy leadership positions in the Church of God. He practised the leadership style of Christ. This makes it clear that there is a difference between the leadership styles practised in the church and that of the secular world.
A true Christian leader has the characteristics of Christ. He is first, a Shepherd, guiding the followers as a Shepherd guides the flock, and with great humility, passion, care, and diligence. Like Paul, he does not exercise over the believers ; rather, he leads them. He influences them to be obedient to the will of God rather than to him. He does this by laying the foremost foundation that must lay before he could succeed in any Christian work or responsibility, that is, to direct his mind and the minds of the members of His congregation to Christ. Collectively, they would truly accept and acknowledge Him as their Lord and personal Saviour by simply deciding to obey Him willingly, from their hearts(Luke 6:46). Obedience to Christ is the evidence that we love Him and that we have submitted ourselves to Him completely.
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When a leader follows this principle, he would observe after a while that a remarkable transformation has taken place in his life and those of the congregation. Collectively, they would become clean and true to God. They would live a sanctified life as they follow Jesus Christ every day in their life through practising God’s word.
The reason many churches have problems in the leadership of their leaders is that the leaders apply the secular style of leadership instead of the spiritual style of leadership, which is the the leadership style of Christ. Authentic leaders apply the leadership style of Jesus Christ, and they achieve much. Christ did not control people; rather He guided them. A true leader does not command or compel people; he makes humble requests. He does not lord it over his people but sees himself as a servant. He sees himself as a co-worker with his people in God’s vineyard, and not as a boss.
Paul said that the authority given to him by God was for “edification”. The authority of every leader is for the same purpose, that is, to build up the believers until they become fully mature in the ways of God. A leader helps to transform his people to become strong if they are weak. When they fall, he helps to lift them up. He does not accuse or look down on them. He inconveniences himself for their welfare. Many such qualities abounded in Paul. As he said, let us imitate him, even as he imitated Christ: “imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”(1Corinthians 11:1); it is the right path to follow.
28th April 2020 ESOCS – CHALLENGES
√ Write out ten principles you think a leader should adopt in his service to God and humanity.
PRAYER POINT
√ Pray to God to give you the wisdom and true spirit of leadership.
FURTHER READING
√ Exodus 39:1-31; 2Corinthians 9:1-15
