Tag: Salvation

Crossroads

Crossroads is a classic song written by Robert Johnson and performed by numerous artists.

Several have tried to explain the meaning of this song. The most revealing involves Johnson’s struggle with loneliness, especially connected to the desperation of finding his way home from an unfamiliar place.

Leadership can certainly be a lonely place. 

Leadership will also take us into unfamiliar places where desperation exists to find our way home.

The result brings us to a crossroads where we question our leadership. We are faced with making challenging decisions.

Spiritually, our life constantly faces crossroads. The decisions we make in those moments determine salvation or condemnation. Our leadership serves to help others at the crossroads of their life to make the right decisions and find their way home.

Greatness

Leaders face many challenges. One of the greatest is learning that we are all leaders. With this in mind, how should we lead?

Dale Archer said, “When you’re always trying to conform to the norm, you lose your uniqueness, which can be the foundation for your greatness.”

We lead because people need hope.
We lead because salvation is at stake.
We lead because God needs leaders.
We lead because it makes a difference.

Since this is true, let us not conform to how the world sees leadership. Let us rise up and establish a foundation of greatness, leading as the servants God has called us to be in His kingdom.

Leading to the Light

God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”

Christians are also a light to the world. We walk in the light and let our light shine.

Think about the light of our leadership.

The role of spiritual leaders is twofold: 1) We lead those who are in darkness into the light of Christ, salvation gained, and 2) We help children of light walk in the light, salvation maintained.

If we can channel our focus in these two areas, our leadership reaches its greatest significance and those who follow are eternally grateful.

Deliverance

The ultimate deliverance was accomplished by Jesus at the cross. The result brought deliverance from our bondage to the consequences of sin.

This deliverance is identified as salvation, forgiveness, grace, and the indescribable gift.

It is the result of God’s immeasurable patience and love. Consider the lengths taken by God to provide for our greatest need and think for just a moment.

Our spiritual leadership is defined by it. The souls all around us depend on it.

A Righteous Leader’s Prayer

Prayer can be an overlooked subject. The application to how we draw closer to God, grow spiritually, or endure trials is often to pray more.

What is prayer? How should we pray? Why do we pray? Does prayer really influence God?

Think about how James teaches the necessity of prayer in leadership.

Three keys to spiritual leadership rise to the top.

1) Elders are identified as righteous men who are to pray.
2) The working prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
3) Turning sinners from their error will save them.

Leading people to salvation must be at the heart of a righteous leaders’ prayer.

Being Spent

Spiritual leaders need to consider the words of Paul, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way for the benefit of others. Specifically, he desired their salvation.

In a self-serving and self-driven world, it is challenging to find those who have a greater desire to give than receive. However, as spiritual leaders, our focus must be on giving ourselves to others so that they might be saved.

I pray our spiritual leadership is of such nature that we look for ways to give of ourselves to help direct people to heaven.

Suffering Leaders

Jesus suffered on numerous occasions at the hands of religious leaders who sought to eliminate this threat to their position and power.

The ultimate suffering, however, did not come at their hands, even though they instigated the procedure.

Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross at the hands of Rome.

Suffering is not often seen as greatness, rather a stumbling block and foolishness. To those who are saved, however, it is the power of God.

The higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make.

Salt and Light

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth….you are the light of the world.”

Salt and light make a difference when present. The analogy for Christians indicates that our influence should make a difference for good.

Outside of the Gospels, the word salt is used only twice and both times (Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:12) it directly speaks to the influence of our words.

The use of light addresses our conduct (Mt. 5:16). Peter spoke about the type of conduct that contributes to the salvation of others (1 Pe. 2:12).

Let us use our influence (words and conduct) to lead others to Him.

What If?

Life is filled with many “if’s.” We struggle to answer the “what if” questions in life.

What if we lose our job?
What if we suffer a terminal illness or tragedy?
What if we miss an opportunity?
What if we fail?
What if we forget an important date or task?
What if we have not done enough?
What if…

When this happens, we often turn to a works oriented, Pharisaical based relationship with God.

We lose sight of God’s grace and the joy of His salvation.

Leadership doesn’t mean we escape the “if’s” in life. Rather, we know where to point others for the right coverage provided by God for every “if” in life.

Leading By Example

Leaders are characterized by their example, and we all set an example by our words and actions.

Paul identified five areas where Timothy was to provide an example as someone who believed: speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Tim. 4:12).

As parents, children, siblings, employees, and in all other relationships we might consider, our lives should reflect the example set by our Lord.

Notice the results of a good example: 1) we please the Lord, 2) we ensure salvation for ourselves and those who hear us, 3) others know the direction to follow, and 4) our relationships grow stronger.