What are the characteristics of an effective spiritual leader? As the Apostle Paul concluded his letter to the Corinthians, he painted a cogent and concise portrait of the type of person God uses to lead His people:
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Paul delivered five imperatives calling God’s people to take action. First, Paul commanded that we are to wake up. The phrase, be on the alert, means to be watchful and to be in a state of readiness and vigilance. This is the word Jesus used as He exhorted His disciples to be ready for His return. This word is used in the epistles to be wary of danger, especially in the context of spiritual warfare:
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Next, we are to stand up. Specifically, we are to stand firm in the faith. We will stand firm when we believe in the objective faith which is Christ, the Rock of our salvation. Paul used this word as he exhorted the Galatians to stand firm:
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Paul then tells the Corinthians to grow up – they are to act like men. The idea is to be courageous and not act like timid children. Although this is the only use of this word in the New Testament, it is used extensively in the Septuagint which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament. This word is used several times as God encouraged Joshua to be courageous as he would lead the Israelites into the promised land:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
The next command is to shape up – we are to be strong. This command is in the passive voice that indicates we are to be made strong and the strengthening comes, not from oneself, but from God’s indwelling Holy Spirit. What is the source of your strength?
Finally, these actions are to be carried out with an attitude of love. Paul used the word love more in his first epistle to the Corinthians than any of his other letters. The virtue of love is is the overall distinguishing characteristic of Christ’s disciples:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)
Associate Pastor – Discipleship. The Church at LifePark
Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University
Follow me on twitter: rickhiggins5
Leave a Reply