Becoming A Servant Leader Christ’s Way
August 30, 2022
Becoming A Servant Leader Christ’s Way
By Katie Pearson
Becoming a Servant Leader Christ’s way doesn’t happen because of our own will or efforts alone. It’s a result of the grace of God working with and through traditional and sometimes unconventional and surprising methods to renovate our hearts. In Peter’s experience it started with faith and then culminated in love. We don’t “become love” overnight, as Peter wrote:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:3-11).
Peter struggled with insensitivity, impulsivity, lack of faith among other things. He was a change resistor and no doubt had to overcome his natural personality to become the supernatural leader God foresaw and Jesus believed in (see Acts 1 for an illustration of his leadership after Christ’s departure).
Looking at the scripture, we see Peter was changed through:
● Relationship with Jesus (v. 1)
● Divine Power (v. 3)
● God’s Promises of Protection and Direction (v. 4)
● Passion (throughout)
● Plan provided by God (v. 5-9)
● Eternal Perspective (v. 12-15)
While spiritual formation isn’t as linear as this, Peter is a powerful example of a human leader who had a clear calling, developed Godly character, participated in authentic community, and engaged the culture for Christ.
Where is the Lord inviting you to lean in and receive the grace that culminates in a new heart and transformed life? God’s leaders are always a work in progress. We are individuals who understand that for ourselves, as well as those we serve, change is a process that is initiated, overseen, and completed by God’s Spirit working deeply inside of us. Our job is to accept any and every means the Lord chooses to mold us into his likeness, our true and highest self.
To learn more about servant leadership, register for our Ignite class Called To Lead beginning on Thursday, September 15. Katie Pearson will lead us through this six week study on 1 and 2 Timothy. Click here for more information.
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