Leaders to serve humbly
Key Verses: 2, 5, 6, 8,
There is
nothing quite like an eyewitness. When a crime happens, the first thing
investigators do, after putting up the yellow tape around the scene, is to fan
out and find eyewitnesses. Peter was an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and death. He
leverages that fact as he charges the readers of this letter to carry out their
role as leaders with due diligence. And they must lead in a way that is
consistent with Jesus’ character.
The way
we lead is just as important as the direction led. The ends don’t justify the
means. Christ must exude throughout the whole process. We must be servants in
our leadership style. We lead with towel in hand. No dictators are allowed.
Humility is the key to successful and Biblical leadership. When someone in
leadership looses humility, their leadership is sure to fail or perhaps has
already failed. They may continue to lead, but the eternal value and direction
is lost. Pride derails Biblical leadership.
We must
be on top of our game. We can’t allow anything to get in the way of our
spiritual growth and development. Satan is ready to take advantage of any
opportunity he is afforded. All we need to do is resist, and the opportunity
evaporates. Resistance is not futile! Resistance brings victory.
Remember,
Satan is defeated. When Jesus rose from the dead Satan’s power was stripped.
The only power he had was fear. Now that man’s great enemy death has been
conquered, what else is there to fear? As Bill Murray said in What About Bob, “We’re all going to
die.” But death no longer means hopelessness. Instead it means entrance into
God’s presence for eternity.
I know
that a dramatic shift in perspective came for me when I fully gripped my own
mortality. I moved from death avoiding to death embracing. I don’t run from
death, but it doesn’t mean I am running toward it either. I just am not afraid
of it. It has lost its sting for me. I came to realize that I am not alone and
I never will be alone.