Power
From 1 John 2v16
22nd May 2020
Last time, we looked 1 John 2:15b-17, which includes these words:
1 John 2:16
For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes
and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the
world.
While discussing that verse, I said that I'd talk about the human lust for power this week.
Jesus never sought power. He came to earth as the most vulnerable human you can be: a baby in a stable, with very poor parents who had dubious marital arrangements. He never took up a sword. He never ran for office. He just loved people. Christians should not seek power, although sometimes we have power thrust upon us. Beware the desire to be a leader. Don't want to be a leader; want to be as servant.
Of course, Jesus was the ultimate leader, but his heart was the heart of a servant. That's why He took off His clothes and washed His disciples’ feet. It wasn't just to set us an example. It was because that is who He is. Jesus is by nature a servant. He describes himself as meek and humble in heart (Matthew 11v29).
Jesus didn't seek leadership. Of course, God really doesn't have to seek leadership, but the fact remains that He didn't seek it. He sought to serve. And He didn't seek to serve in order to be a servant. He sought to serve because people really need serving. Jesus serves because people have needs that need to be met, not because of His own self-image, not to bolster his own opinion of Himself, not to look good, not even - as some Christians fall into the trap of - to look humble, but because people need stuff. He certainly didn't look on leadership as some sort of career, as a way to earn a living.
Jesus gave his life in service, not just on the cross, but all of His life. If He saw a sick person, He stopped and ministered to him. If He met a lonely person, He stopped to talk to him. He helped anybody who needed help. He didn't do this because He wanted to get some sort of label as a leader, as a servant, or even as a good person, but because people needed help. It was love for others that motivated Jesus, and it must be love for others that motivates us.
Here's my advice: whatever you ever do, never choose a leader who wants to be a leader - in any realm, but especially in church. Always choose a leader who wants serve, to meet your needs and the needs of others.