God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having - viz., life with Himself. It is a question of loosening the bands that hinder the life, and immediately those bands are loosened by identification with the death of Jesus, we enter into a relationship with God whereby we can sacrifice our life to Him.
It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a "living sacrifice," to let Him have all your powers that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus. This is the thing that is acceptable to God.Actually, I don't think any leader gives up things purely for the sake of giving them up. They give them up for the sake of gaining approval or the identity of the sacrificial leader (or some such thing) or they give them up to find life with God.
It is important for us to understand the great privilege that God gives to leaders in the church. We have the opportunity to see God at work in multiply lives - to see evidences of His grace in multiple places. If we hold this view, leadership is a tremendous source of encouragement. Today, consider all that you have seen of God's character; His faithfulness, His grace, His power and His love, because you have taken on the responsibility of a leader. Soon you will discover that you haven't sacrificed a thing.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4.8)Additional Resources
Grace and the Adventure of Leadership - a stirring message by Mahaney (btw this is the 3rd time I have mentioned it...)
0 comments:
Post a Comment