Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Part 2. Our Leadership position is for Ministering to one another not demeaning each other
I like the way Apostle Paul put the words in his letter to the church at Philippi. He states, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5). Paul is referring to the most important quality for a successful impacting leader. This is humility, the opposite of pride. Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean comparing yourselves with other. But recognizing our self in our relationship to God. Submitting our selfish ambitions to selfless grace of our creator and redeemer who called us to share in the eternal ministry of grace revealed through Jesus Christ.
In fact the book of Leviticus names Moses as the humblest person on earth. Aren’t these beautiful word? “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth” (Leviticus 12:3).
Moses was not perfect, but was submissive to God’s divine grace. When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite women he had married, Moses did not retaliate.
With the approval of God as his chosen leader, he interceded for Miriam who was struck with leprosy. But God said that Miriam had to remain outside the camp for seven days of course as a lesson to herself others. God is against pride and competitive leadership.
It is God who endows leaders. Listen to what God says, He said, “Hear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make myself known to him in a vision.
I shall speak with him in a dream. 7″Not so, with my servant Moses, He is faithful in all my household; 8With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses? (Leviticus 12:6-8).
In the text from Philippians 2:1-11, Paul is exhorting believers to imitate Jesus Christ The author of our salvation and perfect example of what we ought to be as leaders.
The following are some of the biblical characteristics of a true Christian leader: Encourager, comforter, co-minister in the spirit with other gifted leaders, tender and compassionate, striving for unity, selfless, considering others interests as well.
I remember one of the Greek words that defines what Christ did, “rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. This term kesosis means emptying himself his own will and becoming totally receptive to the divine will.
Likewise, we are called to follow Jesus example. As leaders who have been born again (United with Christ), and called to co-share in His divine ministry, our foremost priority in every step we make is to imitate Jesus Christ.
That’s the only way we can impact others to follow and lead with us. God is against any form of selfish ambition which influence most leaders to focus on their own interests. Christ is our perfect and divine example that we can follow. Let us remember “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
By Rev. Andrew Kariuki and Pastor Peninah Wanjiru
Spiritual Reflection: Have You Ever Thought On Becoming a Motivator
