If one applies for a position of responsibility and leadership, one question that he might face is what his leadership style is. Many different answers have been given to this question, perhaps because there may not be one right answer. Many books have been written about leadership styles as well, often extolling the virtues of one leadership style or another. In the recent times, people have talked about a resonant leader, a servant leader, an inspirational leader, a charismatic leader, and a visionary leader, among others. What does the Bible say about a leader? What kind of person or what kind of character would God want to see as a leader?
In rejecting King Saul and selecting David as the leader of His people, God testified that David was a man after His own heart (I Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:12). David was chosen because he was after God's own heart. This quality of a leader describes what kind of relationship the leader has to have vis-a-vis the Lord. First, the leader has to recognize that his authority or position of leadership originates with the Lord God. King Nebuchadnezzar was driven out from his throne and driven away from people, until he recognized and acknowledged that "the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." (Daniel 4:32). That is the fundamental wisdom that any ruler or leader must possess. Even as He was being tried by Pilate, Jesus told him that he would have no power "if it were not given to (him) from above." (John 19:11). Second, the leader has to work to please the Lord more than anyone else. Actually I think this applies to anyone, whether in a position of great responsibility or less responsibility. Whether you are a leader or a underling, your ultimate Master and Leader is the Lord Himself (Ephesians 6:9). We are to work not to win favor of men, but "with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord" (Colossians 3:22). The first criterion that Jethro recommended to Moses in selecting leaders of the people was that they have to be "men who fear God" (Exodus 18:21). A leader must have the right relationship with the Lord and work to please Him and be after His heart.
When the sons of Zebedee and their mother came to Jesus and asked to be placed on either side of Jesus in His kingdom, a dispute arose among the disciples (Matthew 20:20-28). Basically they all wanted to be leaders in positions of power and authority, rather than to be servants. Jesus then said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:24-28). This quality of a leader describes what kind of relationship he must have vis-a-vis those whom he is leading. The leader has to serve them. How? In the same way that Jesus served us. The leader has to have in mind the interests of those whom he is leading, rather than his own, and has to be willing to sacrifice himself and his own interests. A leader has to be trustworthy and hate dishonest gain for himself (Exodus 18:21). A leader is not a wolf or a robber of the sheep, but a shepherd, a good shepherd who makes sure that the sheep "may have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10). A sacrificial leader who serves to further the interests of the followers would be willingly followed.
Even though I am a follower of Jesus, it is no secret that I aspire to be a leader among men. If I am to be one, I must be after God's heart and serve those that I want to lead. I must be on my knees, praying to the Lord and checking if what I am doing or about to do is pleasing to Him. I must be on my knees as a servant, respecting others and seeking ways to further their interests. Can I drink that cup? If the Lord is willing, then I will be able to ...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Lord God Almighty, who was, is, and is to come
In Hebrews 11, it says that Enoch was commended as one who pleased God. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6). In order to please God, we must first believe that He exists and He rewards those earnestly seek Him. In believing, what kind of God do we believe exists? Our God is, as the heavenly creatures say day and night, "the Lord God Almighty, who was, is, and is to come." (Revelations 4:8).
The first phase of faith may be to believe all that God has done in the past. Often I see that nonbelievers have difficulty believing that God created heavens and earth; that God came down with a mighty hand to deliver Israel from Egypt and in the process parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could walk in between walls of sea water; that God came down in flesh through virgin Mary; that Jesus performed many miracles while on earth, including feeding five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish, raising Lazarus, Jairus's daughter, and a widow's son in Nain from the dead, and turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee; that Jesus not only died on the cross, but resurrected from the dead on the third day and ascended to heaven; and Jesus' disciples performed many miracles as well, healing the crippled and sick and raising dead people as well as proclaiming the good news of redemption through Christ. All these seemingly unusual events are often a stumbling block to those without faith. They seem to ask, "how can it be ...?" when the question should be "why can't it be ... with the Almighty God?"
Having been raised in faith, I believe in the veracity of all the miracles documented in the Bible. I have no doubt about them. But is that enough? I say NO. By that alone, it is like believing only in God who was. The Lord God that I believe in is not only One who was, but also One who is and is to come. That is, He worked not only in the past -- in the times of our forefathers of faith, but He is still working and will continue to work. He is not only Alpha, but also is Omega (Revelations 1:8, 21:6, 22:13). He is not only the Beginning, but also is the End (Revelations 21:6). He is not only the First, but also the Last (Revelations 22:13). He is both the Root and the Offspring of David (Revelations 22:16).
Having faith in the Lord God who was, is, and is to come is to believe that God not only performed all the mighty acts in th past, but that He still performs His mighty acts in my very own life right now. His mighty acts have relevance in my personal life. God who healed the crippled can and does give strength to my legs as well. God who fed the hungry and counted the hairs of peole in Jesus' times still knows that I have needs and still knows how many hairs I have on my head. God who gave out gifts of the Holy Spirit still does and I can have those gifts of the Spirit as well. He intervenes in my life and leads me to green pastures and still waters as well as through the valley of the shadow of death. He, who commissioned the apostles, gives me the same Great Commission to go and make disciples of the nations.
Above all, all that He does now in my life comes with a promise of greater things yet to come. He is God, who not only was and is, but also is to come. Our Lord will return in the same way He ascended to heaven. When He does, we will be raised into incorruptible, imperishable, honorable bodies. The promise that we have in God is not just for this present world, but for the world to come as well -- the new heaven and the new earth, where we will share in His glory for ever and ever, praising His Holy Name and rejoicing.
I believe in the Lord God Almighty, who was, is, and is to come. I believe in His mighty acts of redemption. I believe in His guidance by the Spirit. I believe in my own resurrection and the glory to come. Yes, Lord, you are the Lord, you are the I AM, who transcends time and has authority over time. You have the sovereignty over all, especially over my all. Amen.
The first phase of faith may be to believe all that God has done in the past. Often I see that nonbelievers have difficulty believing that God created heavens and earth; that God came down with a mighty hand to deliver Israel from Egypt and in the process parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could walk in between walls of sea water; that God came down in flesh through virgin Mary; that Jesus performed many miracles while on earth, including feeding five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish, raising Lazarus, Jairus's daughter, and a widow's son in Nain from the dead, and turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee; that Jesus not only died on the cross, but resurrected from the dead on the third day and ascended to heaven; and Jesus' disciples performed many miracles as well, healing the crippled and sick and raising dead people as well as proclaiming the good news of redemption through Christ. All these seemingly unusual events are often a stumbling block to those without faith. They seem to ask, "how can it be ...?" when the question should be "why can't it be ... with the Almighty God?"
Having been raised in faith, I believe in the veracity of all the miracles documented in the Bible. I have no doubt about them. But is that enough? I say NO. By that alone, it is like believing only in God who was. The Lord God that I believe in is not only One who was, but also One who is and is to come. That is, He worked not only in the past -- in the times of our forefathers of faith, but He is still working and will continue to work. He is not only Alpha, but also is Omega (Revelations 1:8, 21:6, 22:13). He is not only the Beginning, but also is the End (Revelations 21:6). He is not only the First, but also the Last (Revelations 22:13). He is both the Root and the Offspring of David (Revelations 22:16).
Having faith in the Lord God who was, is, and is to come is to believe that God not only performed all the mighty acts in th past, but that He still performs His mighty acts in my very own life right now. His mighty acts have relevance in my personal life. God who healed the crippled can and does give strength to my legs as well. God who fed the hungry and counted the hairs of peole in Jesus' times still knows that I have needs and still knows how many hairs I have on my head. God who gave out gifts of the Holy Spirit still does and I can have those gifts of the Spirit as well. He intervenes in my life and leads me to green pastures and still waters as well as through the valley of the shadow of death. He, who commissioned the apostles, gives me the same Great Commission to go and make disciples of the nations.
Above all, all that He does now in my life comes with a promise of greater things yet to come. He is God, who not only was and is, but also is to come. Our Lord will return in the same way He ascended to heaven. When He does, we will be raised into incorruptible, imperishable, honorable bodies. The promise that we have in God is not just for this present world, but for the world to come as well -- the new heaven and the new earth, where we will share in His glory for ever and ever, praising His Holy Name and rejoicing.
I believe in the Lord God Almighty, who was, is, and is to come. I believe in His mighty acts of redemption. I believe in His guidance by the Spirit. I believe in my own resurrection and the glory to come. Yes, Lord, you are the Lord, you are the I AM, who transcends time and has authority over time. You have the sovereignty over all, especially over my all. Amen.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (I Corinthians 12:12-26)
In these verses, Paul reminds us as well as the church in Corinth that the entire church is members of one church, the body of Christ. If one member suffers and is in pain, then the rest of the body suffers as well. As head of the church, our Lord Christ will be grieved with us as well, I think. This is my prayer for our brethren in North Korea, based on the above verses.
"Father, you are merciful and long-suffering, patiently waiting for your prodigal children to return and repent. You have been waiting for many of us to realize that through the love and grace you have demonstrated by sending your Only Begotten Son to die on the cross on our behalf, you have called us to be your children and enjoy all that being your children represents. What is more, you have made us members of the church, the body of Christ. We have become members of Christ's body!
I pray for your suffering children in North Korea. These are your children, your members of the body of Christ. I believe that you ache when one of us is aching. I believe that you feel our pain, when one of us is in pain, because we are members of your body. I appeal to you for your chosen children in the desolate land of North Korea.
We have no reason why we should deserve any mercy or grace from you. All that you have given us is an undeserving gift. When we look over us, we only see our wretched selves. I ask for your forgiveness for the sin of my country and my people. We sinned when we worshipped idols, when we bowed in front of the Shinto shrines under duress of the Japanese, when we bowed to Kim Il Sung as a demigod, when we turned away from you the true God to worship what is vain and worthless. We have sinned when we used the material wealth you have given us for the pleasure of our flesh, lust of our eyes, and boasting of what we own and what we do. Forgive the sins that I and my people in South and North Korea and elsewhere have committed against you.
Though we are unworthy, I approach you with boldness because of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Look down with mercy on the suffering children of North Korea. We have suffered under the Japanese for 36 years and our brethren in the North have endured another 65 years under the Communist rule. We have suffered for a hundred years. Father, forgive our sins and extend your mercy.
At your appointed time, let the iron curtain of the DMZ fall. Let that time come soon. Let the message of redemption and freedom be proclaimed loud in North Korea. Let the church bells ring loud, calling on all your children to sing praises to your glory. Let new schools, hospitals, and churches be built. Use your servants in North Korea to spread the good news to the ends of the earth, hand in hand with your servants from the South. Use my people in the last days to fulfill your will. Oh Lord, listen to the prayer of your unworthy servant for the sake of Your Holy Name. Let it be proclaimed on the mountains of North Korea that God is love and Jesus Christ saves. Pour down your Spirit on your children in North Korea.
In the precious Name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (I Corinthians 12:12-26)
In these verses, Paul reminds us as well as the church in Corinth that the entire church is members of one church, the body of Christ. If one member suffers and is in pain, then the rest of the body suffers as well. As head of the church, our Lord Christ will be grieved with us as well, I think. This is my prayer for our brethren in North Korea, based on the above verses.
"Father, you are merciful and long-suffering, patiently waiting for your prodigal children to return and repent. You have been waiting for many of us to realize that through the love and grace you have demonstrated by sending your Only Begotten Son to die on the cross on our behalf, you have called us to be your children and enjoy all that being your children represents. What is more, you have made us members of the church, the body of Christ. We have become members of Christ's body!
I pray for your suffering children in North Korea. These are your children, your members of the body of Christ. I believe that you ache when one of us is aching. I believe that you feel our pain, when one of us is in pain, because we are members of your body. I appeal to you for your chosen children in the desolate land of North Korea.
We have no reason why we should deserve any mercy or grace from you. All that you have given us is an undeserving gift. When we look over us, we only see our wretched selves. I ask for your forgiveness for the sin of my country and my people. We sinned when we worshipped idols, when we bowed in front of the Shinto shrines under duress of the Japanese, when we bowed to Kim Il Sung as a demigod, when we turned away from you the true God to worship what is vain and worthless. We have sinned when we used the material wealth you have given us for the pleasure of our flesh, lust of our eyes, and boasting of what we own and what we do. Forgive the sins that I and my people in South and North Korea and elsewhere have committed against you.
Though we are unworthy, I approach you with boldness because of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Look down with mercy on the suffering children of North Korea. We have suffered under the Japanese for 36 years and our brethren in the North have endured another 65 years under the Communist rule. We have suffered for a hundred years. Father, forgive our sins and extend your mercy.
At your appointed time, let the iron curtain of the DMZ fall. Let that time come soon. Let the message of redemption and freedom be proclaimed loud in North Korea. Let the church bells ring loud, calling on all your children to sing praises to your glory. Let new schools, hospitals, and churches be built. Use your servants in North Korea to spread the good news to the ends of the earth, hand in hand with your servants from the South. Use my people in the last days to fulfill your will. Oh Lord, listen to the prayer of your unworthy servant for the sake of Your Holy Name. Let it be proclaimed on the mountains of North Korea that God is love and Jesus Christ saves. Pour down your Spirit on your children in North Korea.
In the precious Name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Taking up my cross
Crucifixion is one of the most painful and humiliating executions that man has devised in history. To be hung on a tree was evidence of God's curse (Deuteronomy 21:23). Yet, Jesus not only did not refuse it, but also took it upon Himself willingly and of His own accord (John 10:18) for the sake of His sheep, His people. Furthermore, He said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23).
What does it mean to take up one's cross? Why does Jesus want us to take up our cross?
First, I think the cross means absolute obedience and humility, as shown by Jesus Himself. Being found in appearance as a man, Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8) Just as Isaac did not resist Abraham's blade on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:1-14), Jesus' prayer right to the end was that the Father's will be done (Matthew 26:39-43). In taking up my cross, I must be ready to obey the Lord even to the cross. And in obeying, I must do so with joy that I have been considered worthy of it (Acts 5:41).
Second, the cross signifies death of my sinful nature and the accompanying curse, because Jesus died on the cross, paying the price of my/our sin in full. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24). My old sinful self was crucified with Jesus, so that I am no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:6). I must live my lfe, demonstrating my liberation from the powers of sin.
Third, the cross means that I have now been reconciled and made peace with God (Ephesians 2:14-16, Colossians 1:20, Romans 5:11). So, to us who are saved, the cross is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:18). Having been reconciled with God has two implications. First, we now have the ministry of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18-19). We have to carry the message of reconciliation to others who have not heard it. As children of God, we are now peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Second, reconcilation with God means that we are now enemies of the world and Satan. Living in obedience to God, we should anticipate that we will be persecuted in this world (II Timothy 3:12). We may face persecution from the worldly authorities or possibly even from our own family members or relatives (Matthew 10:16-39). Yet, we should also know that being persecuted on account of Jesus is a blessing with reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12).
Indeed, the cross is a forerunner of the eternal joy and glory that will follow it. Jesus looked ahead to this joy and scorned the shame of the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Likewise, when we partake in Christ's sufferings and cross, we should know that we will also share in His glory (Romans 8:17-18, I Peter 4:13, I Peter 5:1).
Jesus wanted us to take up our cross and follow Him, not because the cross meant a curse, but because in being obedient even to the cross and partaking in the sufferings and persecution of Jesus, we also get to share in His glory. In HIS Glory, no less than that! That is why Paul was able to confess that he considers all other things a "rubbish" (Philippians 3:8) and wants to boast in nothing but the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14). May that be my confession and my prayer!
What does it mean to take up one's cross? Why does Jesus want us to take up our cross?
First, I think the cross means absolute obedience and humility, as shown by Jesus Himself. Being found in appearance as a man, Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8) Just as Isaac did not resist Abraham's blade on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:1-14), Jesus' prayer right to the end was that the Father's will be done (Matthew 26:39-43). In taking up my cross, I must be ready to obey the Lord even to the cross. And in obeying, I must do so with joy that I have been considered worthy of it (Acts 5:41).
Second, the cross signifies death of my sinful nature and the accompanying curse, because Jesus died on the cross, paying the price of my/our sin in full. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24). My old sinful self was crucified with Jesus, so that I am no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:6). I must live my lfe, demonstrating my liberation from the powers of sin.
Third, the cross means that I have now been reconciled and made peace with God (Ephesians 2:14-16, Colossians 1:20, Romans 5:11). So, to us who are saved, the cross is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:18). Having been reconciled with God has two implications. First, we now have the ministry of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18-19). We have to carry the message of reconciliation to others who have not heard it. As children of God, we are now peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Second, reconcilation with God means that we are now enemies of the world and Satan. Living in obedience to God, we should anticipate that we will be persecuted in this world (II Timothy 3:12). We may face persecution from the worldly authorities or possibly even from our own family members or relatives (Matthew 10:16-39). Yet, we should also know that being persecuted on account of Jesus is a blessing with reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12).
Indeed, the cross is a forerunner of the eternal joy and glory that will follow it. Jesus looked ahead to this joy and scorned the shame of the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Likewise, when we partake in Christ's sufferings and cross, we should know that we will also share in His glory (Romans 8:17-18, I Peter 4:13, I Peter 5:1).
Jesus wanted us to take up our cross and follow Him, not because the cross meant a curse, but because in being obedient even to the cross and partaking in the sufferings and persecution of Jesus, we also get to share in His glory. In HIS Glory, no less than that! That is why Paul was able to confess that he considers all other things a "rubbish" (Philippians 3:8) and wants to boast in nothing but the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14). May that be my confession and my prayer!
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