20 March 2011
Influence 5
Shouldn’t Christians be the best people in the world to work for? That is the hope but not always the case. Keep in mind this caveat from Romans 12:18 (“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”) as you read the reason why Christians often haven’t distinguished themselves as leaders. We just won’t be able to live peaceably with everyone. It always takes both sides in a relationship to live at peace with one another.
Having said that ‘why are we falling short as leaders?’ The church is often the worst place for leadership simply because it is a spiritual atmosphere where the enemy of our souls is busy stirring things up. It is easier there than anywhere else for the misunderstandings to occur as people generally have high expectations for the church. This is the family of God. They expect the church people are going to be loving and perfect as He is. Unfortunately they aren’t. They are righteous by their standing in Christ but that righteousness is a transforming process happening hopefully over their lifetime.
As leaders we need to understand that through Christ we are seated in heavenly places with Him. We are new creations, born again through believing in what He has done for us. The Holy Spirit is given as His guarantee of eternal life that seals us securely until the coming of His Kingdom in its fullness. But we are in a process. Romans 12:2 states: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Ephesians 4:22 – 24 states: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Our thought patterns need to be changed. That’s why repentance from dead works is one of the six basic foundations of our Christian faith. Repentance means we change our minds and as a result our direction of travel in life. The process we are engaged with is one of transforming the way we think and subsequently act. Our thinking has been shaped by our experiences: good, bad and ugly. We are a product of not only our genetics but also our family of origin, our culture and our personal experiences. We often react out of these stored up subconscious factors. This is normal. I knew a woman whose father committed suicide when she was in her early teens. She thought this was normal for everyone until as an adult her interaction with others revealed this experience was not the norm.
Some in the church take the stand that when we are in Christ old things have passed away, that all things have been made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) In the context of the passage it is in reference to sin, separation from God and reconciliation back to Him. We are not to think of Christ as the carpenter but as the Son of God. We are not to hold people to what they used to be but to accept them as new creations in Christ with a hope and a future. This is absolutely true but does not negate the fact that our past will have an effect on our life now.
Philippians 2:12 - 13 says: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Paul who also wrote the Corinthian passage is telling us to work out our salvation. How can this be if I am a new creation and the old has past away? It is only possible if you understand that you are a three part being: spirit, soul and body. Our redemption in Christ started with our spirit being born again. Our soul is in process and our body will be redeemed at the appearing of Christ in the sky when He returns, mortal will put on immortal then. In the meantime we work out our salvation by cooperating with what God is doing in our life.
Our natural inclination is to deny issues that are not pleasing to God. Just like Adam who hid when God came looking for him our pride wants us to hide what God wants to reveal. He does not have a problem with our failings; it is us that don’t want them exposed. Christian leaders need to deal with their inner life under the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. Our wholeness and humility to receive healing will create world-changing leaders. We will not lord it over people but will have a serving heart attitude. This attitude, reflective of Christ’s, changes everything.
Having said that ‘why are we falling short as leaders?’ The church is often the worst place for leadership simply because it is a spiritual atmosphere where the enemy of our souls is busy stirring things up. It is easier there than anywhere else for the misunderstandings to occur as people generally have high expectations for the church. This is the family of God. They expect the church people are going to be loving and perfect as He is. Unfortunately they aren’t. They are righteous by their standing in Christ but that righteousness is a transforming process happening hopefully over their lifetime.
As leaders we need to understand that through Christ we are seated in heavenly places with Him. We are new creations, born again through believing in what He has done for us. The Holy Spirit is given as His guarantee of eternal life that seals us securely until the coming of His Kingdom in its fullness. But we are in a process. Romans 12:2 states: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Ephesians 4:22 – 24 states: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Our thought patterns need to be changed. That’s why repentance from dead works is one of the six basic foundations of our Christian faith. Repentance means we change our minds and as a result our direction of travel in life. The process we are engaged with is one of transforming the way we think and subsequently act. Our thinking has been shaped by our experiences: good, bad and ugly. We are a product of not only our genetics but also our family of origin, our culture and our personal experiences. We often react out of these stored up subconscious factors. This is normal. I knew a woman whose father committed suicide when she was in her early teens. She thought this was normal for everyone until as an adult her interaction with others revealed this experience was not the norm.
Some in the church take the stand that when we are in Christ old things have passed away, that all things have been made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) In the context of the passage it is in reference to sin, separation from God and reconciliation back to Him. We are not to think of Christ as the carpenter but as the Son of God. We are not to hold people to what they used to be but to accept them as new creations in Christ with a hope and a future. This is absolutely true but does not negate the fact that our past will have an effect on our life now.
Philippians 2:12 - 13 says: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Paul who also wrote the Corinthian passage is telling us to work out our salvation. How can this be if I am a new creation and the old has past away? It is only possible if you understand that you are a three part being: spirit, soul and body. Our redemption in Christ started with our spirit being born again. Our soul is in process and our body will be redeemed at the appearing of Christ in the sky when He returns, mortal will put on immortal then. In the meantime we work out our salvation by cooperating with what God is doing in our life.
Our natural inclination is to deny issues that are not pleasing to God. Just like Adam who hid when God came looking for him our pride wants us to hide what God wants to reveal. He does not have a problem with our failings; it is us that don’t want them exposed. Christian leaders need to deal with their inner life under the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. Our wholeness and humility to receive healing will create world-changing leaders. We will not lord it over people but will have a serving heart attitude. This attitude, reflective of Christ’s, changes everything.