Being and Becoming God’s Leader

Only a few days ago, there was discussion at work about how good leaders in God’s church dangerously lose focus on God and begin to accept the “hero worship” of their parishioners. When they do, their lives begin a downward spiral from good to bad. God does not take kindly to this behavior.

It is a temptation that satan easily uses on leaders with low self esteem, those who come into ministry as humble servants but fall prey to those who begin look up to you (as God-like) and suddenly you like it. Who doesn’t? RUN from that praise and turn it quickly back to GOD! It is God in us that causes good works to help others know Him more. It is not about us. His Spirit in us leads us to lead others to HIM, not to us. He is God and we are not.

As Paul goes over his credentials for writing to the Corinthians on their behavior, he reminds them that is is not about him, but God’s Spirit working in and through him. Christ in us! That is our focus. We will see Him as He is someday! (Read all of chapter 3)

He closes 2 Corinthians:3, (The Message) with these words…

“Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn’t notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn’t notice. They didn’t notice it then and they don’t notice it now, don’t notice that there’s nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can’t see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there’s nothing there.

16-18 Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone.

And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”

What do we learn?
–God’s leaders never lose focus of Whose Spirit lives in them and guides them.
–God’s leaders recognize where the Power comes from and live in grateful praise for the One who lives in them.
–Whatever we do for others comes from God’s Spirit living in us. Not us.
–Only God is to be worshiped with praise and adoration.

Dear Heavenly Father, There are many leadership principles here within Paul’s message to Your people about Your Spirit living in us. Thank you for teaching us and leading us always back to You, for You are God alone. Apart from You, we are nothing and can do nothing of real and lasting significance for Your Kingdom’s work. With Your Spirit, however, there is power, which brings meaning back into focus in the ways we help others grow in You while growing and maturing ourselves. Thank you for Your Spirit. Christ in us…how can it be? Because of your work on the Cross…Thank you, Lord. Thank you! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
In Jesus Name, Amen