Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
Pursue God’s Agenda
1 Corinthians 4:1–5; Galatians 1:6–10; 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12
Popular notions of successful leadership abound in current Christian media and, in many cases, the gospel has all but disappeared.
Recognize Your Accountability to God (1 Cor. 4:1–5)
For Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4, the definition of Christian leadership began with accountability before God as servants. Accountability before God served as the solution for the acute problem of factionalism among the Corinthians in which parties promoted certain apostles over and against others based on what constituted wisdom in the worldly sense (1 Cor. 1:10–17). The skewed priority on form and rhetoric overlooked the fact that God’s wisdom is aptly expressed through what the world has judged as folly, the cross (1 Cor. 1:20–25). Hence the key element for leadership among God’s people is not any criteria set by the secular world but God’s standards. First and foremost, accountability before God as His servant shapes and directs the leader; he or she must be ready to give an account before God not only at the final judgment but also daily. This emphasis on accountability to God should aid leaders in determining their ministry’s purpose and the method of achieving that purpose.
Hold Uncompromisingly to the Gospel (Gal. 1:6–10)
The purpose of all ministers in God’s kingdom is to preach the gospel. All of humanity falls under divine indictment — all have sinned (Rom. 3:9). And all are saved by Jesus Christ alone (Gal. 2:16). Regardless of different ministry styles, the gospel that proclaims salvation through Jesus Christ only must be the foundation for all ministries. Indeed, for Paul, the gospel that proclaimed salvation by any other means was no gospel and those who preached an alternative message were pronounced “accursed” (6–8). Paul’s fervent and visceral words must be understood in context; the Galatians were influenced by those who proclaimed that works or law observance (i.e., circumcision, dietary regulations) must accompany faith (Gal. 5:1–15). For Paul, law observance nullified Jesus Christ’s work on the cross (Gal. 2:15–21). Paul’s strong warning to the Galatians to reject any message that contradicted the gospel of Jesus Christ reminds us to exercise caution. Believers should exercise discernment, not be seduced by glamorous outward trappings but, always pierce through to the message’s heart. Does the message preached cohere with the gospel declared in Scripture? This litmus test should be taken by not only the audience but also, more critically, the proclaimers. Those serving as leaders within God’s kingdom should exercise caution all the more.
Live Out Your Devotion to the Church (1 Thess. 2:7–12)
Lest misunderstanding should exist, Christian leadership is not simply about words. Preaching devoid of Jesus Christ’s character is once again not the gospel as found in Scripture. Paul’s clear understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ necessarily led him to demonstrate the gospel through his actions. Modern-day Christian leadership is all too often based on persuasive speech and charisma. But Paul’s testimony in 1 Thessalonians teaches us that Christian leadership requires self-sacrifice, parental love and the courage to provide a model for emulation. Paul’s devotion to the Thessalonians was not minimalistic, self-serving or duplicitous. Paul loved them not as a paid employee or part-time advocate but in the deepest sense possible — as a parent loves a child. He not only preached the gospel but also invested himself into the Thessalonians. And thereby Paul demonstrated the kind of life the Thessalonians should lead by working hard; his conduct was blameless before them. The body of Christ requires not simply testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ but also lives sacrificed on its behalf. Are modern-day Christian leaders able to live as Paul lived among his converts? Can they reflect the suffering Messiah’s image in their ministry? “The harvest is ripe but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37).
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