so to demonstrate in the age, that come, the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness to the extent of us, in Christ Jesus.*
There was a time of judges, kings, and prophets but at the present time, the leadership of God is through His Son. At the present age, the age which has come, called the kingdom of God, the wisdom of God is being revealed through the Son. We are to grow in the knowledge of the Son, in whom He is our leader. There is leadership of the world and even that of the old testament which lorded over others, exercising authority. And there is leadership as Christ gave example who was Lord, but did not exercise that authority over us but as a Good shepherd, laid down his own life for the sheep. What profit, what gain is there, in that Christ would lay down His life for us? When we were dead in our trespasses and sin Jesus died for us, so that we are made alive, so that we are made a new, righteous. Through His great love for us we know of the Father, we have a relationship with Him through the Son. Through Christ God demonstrates his kindness and Jesus has led many sons to glory. The leadership of God is demonstrated in kindness to us through Christ.
Now God rich in mercy through His great love which he loved us, also we existing dead in our trespasses made us alive in Christ. Grace existing saved!*
The Law as given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The Law judged and condemned, but in Christ there is no condemnation. When Samuel was prophet the people wanted a king like the other nations, though God would allow such leadership like that of the rulers of the world, God said to Samuel they had rejected Him as leader.* The kings of Israel like David were called lords and exercised authority over the people. Solomon was a great king having much wisdom and wealth, but he turned his heart from God. The era of kings did not last long, which is certainly a sign to us, of how we are to view leadership in the kingdom of God, that which has come in Christ.
God exalted this Jesus to his right hand as Leader and Savior, the one providing repentance to Israel and the remission of sin.*
Clearly, if we put forgiveness in anything but Christ we forsake the Savior. Clearly, if we exalt ourselves like leaders of the world we forsake the Leader, Christ. He is the head of the Church, no name has been given with such authority. Think about Christ as head of the family and as our brother. What authority is there if Jesus is head? And if the great do not exercise authority and the gifts are given according to the full measure of the grace of Christ, then surely possessing a greater gift is being a greater servant? For why did Christ become a servant, laying down His life? so that I might live, this is how God demonstrated his kindness. If Jesus led with such kindness so should I.
you know the rulers of the world lord over them, exercising authority over them, it is not to be so among you...*
We see principles of the leadership of Jesus in what he said it is not. The great do not lord over nor exercise authority over others but are servants. Since the great are servants they do not call themselves rulers.* The great of the world lead by exercising authority over others but this is not to be so in the kingdom of heaven but the great become servants of all, Jesus said. If one can not lead by exercising authority over others but through serving then the example Christ gives of leadership is best described as the opposite of authoritarian leadership. Authoritarian leadership leads with fear of punishment, so they are merciless and despise grace. But God was rich in mercy and grace to demonstrate a different style of leadership, described here as leading with kindness.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.*
The authoritarian leader despises grace and kindness seeing it as weakness, saying it is used as a license to be disobedient. I thank God for Jesus who came in the fullness of grace and truth. I thank God for his Spirit within me, as through such power along with abiding in His words I overcome. If one is born from above, God's seed abides in him and he will not continue in sin. Grace is not a license to sin because God is not mocked, whatsoever a person sows he will also reap. If he sows to the flesh he will reap corruption, if he sows to the Spirit he will reap Life. Why do some think they have authority as judge when there is only one judge and lawgiver Christ? The law of reaping and sowing solves the issue of grace being used as a license to sin. For the lost they reap death in spirit, for the child of God born of Spirit living in sin such is a wretched state of corruption to the body and soul. Who will lead them out of this state? Thanks be to Christ!
For the love of Christ controls us, judging this; that one died for all so then all died. Also dying for all so that we live, no more living himself but the one dying on their behalf, also raised.*
The concept of Christ living in me is not like I am being controlled like a robot, no, it is transformation, becoming like Christ in glory. Authoritarian leadership enslaves men to live to rules and regulations enforcing such with fear of isolation, shame, and punishment. The Law with its fear of punishment did not perfect men unto obedience. Now, it did arouse the sinful desires of the flesh. So the legalist claims self-discipline but they are of the worst sinners. Paul writes going back to the Law is going back to a yoke of slavery. It forfeits grace and severs from Christ, despising the kindness of the Lord that led them to repentance.
Surely, some look at kindness as a weakness but not those great in Christ, who led them into maturity not exercising authority over them. God is not mocked in His grace toward us as what we sow we also reap. There is tough love as we mature because He loves us. The discipline of the Lord is for our benefit which at the time doesn't seem pleasant. He doesn't lead us by domineering. Obedience is fruit of being a new creation and of transformation, the renewal of the mind, in this grace abounds as we train for godliness. Now, an authoritarian leader Christ is not, though King of kings he did not exercise authority but became a servant. And when we submit to Him he is meek and lowly in heart for our benefit. And surely He is not weak. Being rooted and grounded faith in love, the love of Christ compels us. Truly, it was love that compelled us when He became our Savior. Surely, his love compels us as He leads us into holiness. And surely the outcome of this is Life. And it is His love that compels us to lead others.
serving with goodwill as unto the Lord, and not men.*
Like submitting to worldly authority, serving is unto the Lord. If you lord over others, or serve doing it for people to see, or for your own promotion then you miss the concept of serving. The root word for goodwill here means to think kindly of, to be favorable. This is the concept of grace, we are highly favored in the Beloved. And in Christ God demonstrates his kindness to us. This is how we serve unto the Lord, we serve with goodwill, kindness, as He gave us example of such kindness. We are to do good to others, especially to the household of faith. The world should look at us and say they are good, kind to one another. Also the concept of being an ambassador of Christ says we serve through goodwill to others, as unto the Lord. This is not our home, we are aliens here, so we treat others with kindness so that they would be persuaded in Christ. We lead others to Christ, to truth, through goodwill and kindness.
I could lead by exercising authority over others, but I would not lead like Jesus. Leadership of the world is inherently based upon profit thus performance. How can I equate such to the kingdom of God? Is the leadership of Christ based upon profit? Would I lay down my life for the employee who is not performing, not making a profit? I would certainly want to spend more time in the hiring process to hire those who have my principles. But doesn't the world love those like them? And did not Jesus hang out with those not like Him, sinners and tax collectors? What was the criteria for entrance into the kingdom of heaven? A good resume? Good performance? And what does He look at in regards to performance reviews? Will he kick me out of His business if I do not perform well? Surely this defeats eternal life, predestination, being chosen by grace? This is important in regards to what motivates us.
The root of the word faith, is a word that means to be persuaded and since Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith he allows us to ask why, so we are persuaded. Authoritarian leaders claim you are disobedient because you ask why but without understanding there is no true persuasion but blind obedience. And how can a servant demand obedience? we see serving is not like leadership of the world. The word for leader used today is not traced to a Greek word, I think its closest is ἄρχων (archōn) which refers to Christ being leader and Him alone.* Christ is our leader, we are brothers. Greatness is based upon maturity in Christ, not upon a diploma, nor a title nor a position of authority... Thus the great are called to serve, so that children become great in Christ. If we define greatness as being like Jesus in maturity then what leads us into greatness? I think Jesus led with kindness thus leading with kindness is the key to greatness.
Now, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness...*
Just as God is love, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Though the Law judged and condemned man God was rich in mercy through His great love for us.* Through love and kindness He demonstrates to us He cares. To me loving kindness best describes His grace, which came to us in Jesus Christ. In regards to performance we can associate it with the mission of the church, which is to grow up the body into the full measure of the image of Christ. Is not this the high calling and reasonable service of all those God calls, to become holy like Jesus, thus is not this is the mission we are to accomplish? The victory is faith and faith is energized through love, thus truth in love leads. And the Spirit teaches us to abide in truth and love. This is why Jesus said we will be known by our love for one another. If we look at what Paul writes of love and associate agape love with His kindness and grace then we better understand leading with kindness.
And above all these; that love which is the bond that leads to perfection.*
Perfection is in truth thus love leads to acceptance of truth. Love leads so that we grow up into Him, truth in love. Think about it, will you follow someone that you don't trust and know loves you? So we see why authoritarian leaders lord over, they do not love nor care, they do not build trust so they domineer to control. How are we to be led unto perfection, which is holiness and maturity in truth without love? it through his great love we mature in truth. If perfection is the goal, which Peter writes the goal of faith is salvation of our souls and faith is increased in truth then in regards to leading, love is the way to perfection in truth. His kindness leads us to grow up. Kindness also leads to repentance.
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?*
Even to those who were under the Law and under His wrath He had great patience towards them, thus patience like kindness is of His character. Kindness is not weakness, it is meant to lead us to Him. Paul writes grace is a service to us as it is His power perfecting us. Thus we are led by the Spirit, and those led are not under Law but under grace. Grace is a place in which we stand, which we have access to by faith. From the riches of His grace we receive spiritual blessings in Christ; adoption, and redemption, the forgiveness of sin. So if you do not believe in grace how can you be blessed from the riches of His grace? Possibly you do not know Him or have fallen from grace? God demonstrates His kindness to us. Kindness is a place in which we stand before God, the opposite would be to be cut off from Him.* Paul writes to forfeit His grace is to sever or cut off from Him.
Also having admission by faith into this very thing, grace in which standing.*
Truly, grace is being highly favored in the Beloved, and it is much more. The word standing is ἵστημι (histēmi) to make to stand, set, place, to stand fast. Truly leadership would cause others to stand, to live up to their purpose and destiny. Leaders would not cause others to stumble which the unjust judgement of legalism does. There is a standing, putting on the armor of God which implies having been established upon a firm foundation.* This firm foundation is established by grace through faith, being rooted and grounded in love, blessed with spiritual blessings from the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus. It is a standing having put on truth, like a belt all around you, covered in truth.* It is a standing empowered in the might of His strength. A becoming strong through abiding in the words of Jesus, overcoming evil. We can say the mission of the Church is to cause the children of God to stand. And we can carefully call leadership as that which serves this purpose. And we can define leadership as the best means of serving this purpose. The example we see of the leadership of Christ is based upon kindness.
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in word of truth, in power of God through weapons of righteousness, the right hand and the left.*
Here kindness is mentioned as weapon of warfare, as our war is not against people, but spiritual authorities and rulers. We see characteristics of those who lead as Jesus; kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, "as the elect of God, holy, and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience..."* Truly such leadership is not like the world that domineers over others. As we excel in faith, knowledge, and love Paul writes we are to excel in grace.* In fact as we grow in faith and godliness, we add to these brotherly and agape love.* It is truth in love that leads the way to perfection. Grace and loving kindness are very closely related, truly signs of a mature Church and characteristics of godly leadership.
Now, when the goodness and kindness of God, our savior appeared... we became heirs according to the hope of eternal life.*
How did we become heirs? through God demonstrating His kindness toward us in Christ. The Law came through Moses but grace and truth through Jesus Christ. Truly by the grace of God Jesus leads many sons to glory thus he is the Leader and champion of our salvation who was perfected through suffering.* Truly we love God because He first loved us and we know of the love of God through the Spirit which pours out love into our hearts. God demonstrated to us through Christ his kindness and from the riches of His grace and kindness we are blessed from the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. If we know Him we know of his love and kindness and know kindness led us to repentance. If this is true then Jesus led us to God through kindness. If Jesus leads with kindness we should also follow His example leading others to Him through kindness.
Alive
There was a time of judges, kings, and prophets but at the present time, the leadership of God is through His Son. At the present age, the age which has come, called the kingdom of God, the wisdom of God is being revealed through the Son. We are to grow in the knowledge of the Son, in whom He is our leader. There is leadership of the world and even that of the old testament which lorded over others, exercising authority. And there is leadership as Christ gave example who was Lord, but did not exercise that authority over us but as a Good shepherd, laid down his own life for the sheep. What profit, what gain is there, in that Christ would lay down His life for us? When we were dead in our trespasses and sin Jesus died for us, so that we are made alive, so that we are made a new, righteous. Through His great love for us we know of the Father, we have a relationship with Him through the Son. Through Christ God demonstrates his kindness and Jesus has led many sons to glory. The leadership of God is demonstrated in kindness to us through Christ.
Now God rich in mercy through His great love which he loved us, also we existing dead in our trespasses made us alive in Christ. Grace existing saved!*
The Law as given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The Law judged and condemned, but in Christ there is no condemnation. When Samuel was prophet the people wanted a king like the other nations, though God would allow such leadership like that of the rulers of the world, God said to Samuel they had rejected Him as leader.* The kings of Israel like David were called lords and exercised authority over the people. Solomon was a great king having much wisdom and wealth, but he turned his heart from God. The era of kings did not last long, which is certainly a sign to us, of how we are to view leadership in the kingdom of God, that which has come in Christ.
God exalted this Jesus to his right hand as Leader and Savior, the one providing repentance to Israel and the remission of sin.*
Clearly, if we put forgiveness in anything but Christ we forsake the Savior. Clearly, if we exalt ourselves like leaders of the world we forsake the Leader, Christ. He is the head of the Church, no name has been given with such authority. Think about Christ as head of the family and as our brother. What authority is there if Jesus is head? And if the great do not exercise authority and the gifts are given according to the full measure of the grace of Christ, then surely possessing a greater gift is being a greater servant? For why did Christ become a servant, laying down His life? so that I might live, this is how God demonstrated his kindness. If Jesus led with such kindness so should I.
you know the rulers of the world lord over them, exercising authority over them, it is not to be so among you...*
We see principles of the leadership of Jesus in what he said it is not. The great do not lord over nor exercise authority over others but are servants. Since the great are servants they do not call themselves rulers.* The great of the world lead by exercising authority over others but this is not to be so in the kingdom of heaven but the great become servants of all, Jesus said. If one can not lead by exercising authority over others but through serving then the example Christ gives of leadership is best described as the opposite of authoritarian leadership. Authoritarian leadership leads with fear of punishment, so they are merciless and despise grace. But God was rich in mercy and grace to demonstrate a different style of leadership, described here as leading with kindness.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.*
The authoritarian leader despises grace and kindness seeing it as weakness, saying it is used as a license to be disobedient. I thank God for Jesus who came in the fullness of grace and truth. I thank God for his Spirit within me, as through such power along with abiding in His words I overcome. If one is born from above, God's seed abides in him and he will not continue in sin. Grace is not a license to sin because God is not mocked, whatsoever a person sows he will also reap. If he sows to the flesh he will reap corruption, if he sows to the Spirit he will reap Life. Why do some think they have authority as judge when there is only one judge and lawgiver Christ? The law of reaping and sowing solves the issue of grace being used as a license to sin. For the lost they reap death in spirit, for the child of God born of Spirit living in sin such is a wretched state of corruption to the body and soul. Who will lead them out of this state? Thanks be to Christ!
For the love of Christ controls us, judging this; that one died for all so then all died. Also dying for all so that we live, no more living himself but the one dying on their behalf, also raised.*
The concept of Christ living in me is not like I am being controlled like a robot, no, it is transformation, becoming like Christ in glory. Authoritarian leadership enslaves men to live to rules and regulations enforcing such with fear of isolation, shame, and punishment. The Law with its fear of punishment did not perfect men unto obedience. Now, it did arouse the sinful desires of the flesh. So the legalist claims self-discipline but they are of the worst sinners. Paul writes going back to the Law is going back to a yoke of slavery. It forfeits grace and severs from Christ, despising the kindness of the Lord that led them to repentance.
Surely, some look at kindness as a weakness but not those great in Christ, who led them into maturity not exercising authority over them. God is not mocked in His grace toward us as what we sow we also reap. There is tough love as we mature because He loves us. The discipline of the Lord is for our benefit which at the time doesn't seem pleasant. He doesn't lead us by domineering. Obedience is fruit of being a new creation and of transformation, the renewal of the mind, in this grace abounds as we train for godliness. Now, an authoritarian leader Christ is not, though King of kings he did not exercise authority but became a servant. And when we submit to Him he is meek and lowly in heart for our benefit. And surely He is not weak. Being rooted and grounded faith in love, the love of Christ compels us. Truly, it was love that compelled us when He became our Savior. Surely, his love compels us as He leads us into holiness. And surely the outcome of this is Life. And it is His love that compels us to lead others.
serving with goodwill as unto the Lord, and not men.*
Like submitting to worldly authority, serving is unto the Lord. If you lord over others, or serve doing it for people to see, or for your own promotion then you miss the concept of serving. The root word for goodwill here means to think kindly of, to be favorable. This is the concept of grace, we are highly favored in the Beloved. And in Christ God demonstrates his kindness to us. This is how we serve unto the Lord, we serve with goodwill, kindness, as He gave us example of such kindness. We are to do good to others, especially to the household of faith. The world should look at us and say they are good, kind to one another. Also the concept of being an ambassador of Christ says we serve through goodwill to others, as unto the Lord. This is not our home, we are aliens here, so we treat others with kindness so that they would be persuaded in Christ. We lead others to Christ, to truth, through goodwill and kindness.
I could lead by exercising authority over others, but I would not lead like Jesus. Leadership of the world is inherently based upon profit thus performance. How can I equate such to the kingdom of God? Is the leadership of Christ based upon profit? Would I lay down my life for the employee who is not performing, not making a profit? I would certainly want to spend more time in the hiring process to hire those who have my principles. But doesn't the world love those like them? And did not Jesus hang out with those not like Him, sinners and tax collectors? What was the criteria for entrance into the kingdom of heaven? A good resume? Good performance? And what does He look at in regards to performance reviews? Will he kick me out of His business if I do not perform well? Surely this defeats eternal life, predestination, being chosen by grace? This is important in regards to what motivates us.
The root of the word faith, is a word that means to be persuaded and since Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith he allows us to ask why, so we are persuaded. Authoritarian leaders claim you are disobedient because you ask why but without understanding there is no true persuasion but blind obedience. And how can a servant demand obedience? we see serving is not like leadership of the world. The word for leader used today is not traced to a Greek word, I think its closest is ἄρχων (archōn) which refers to Christ being leader and Him alone.* Christ is our leader, we are brothers. Greatness is based upon maturity in Christ, not upon a diploma, nor a title nor a position of authority... Thus the great are called to serve, so that children become great in Christ. If we define greatness as being like Jesus in maturity then what leads us into greatness? I think Jesus led with kindness thus leading with kindness is the key to greatness.
Now, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness...*
Just as God is love, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Though the Law judged and condemned man God was rich in mercy through His great love for us.* Through love and kindness He demonstrates to us He cares. To me loving kindness best describes His grace, which came to us in Jesus Christ. In regards to performance we can associate it with the mission of the church, which is to grow up the body into the full measure of the image of Christ. Is not this the high calling and reasonable service of all those God calls, to become holy like Jesus, thus is not this is the mission we are to accomplish? The victory is faith and faith is energized through love, thus truth in love leads. And the Spirit teaches us to abide in truth and love. This is why Jesus said we will be known by our love for one another. If we look at what Paul writes of love and associate agape love with His kindness and grace then we better understand leading with kindness.
And above all these; that love which is the bond that leads to perfection.*
Perfection is in truth thus love leads to acceptance of truth. Love leads so that we grow up into Him, truth in love. Think about it, will you follow someone that you don't trust and know loves you? So we see why authoritarian leaders lord over, they do not love nor care, they do not build trust so they domineer to control. How are we to be led unto perfection, which is holiness and maturity in truth without love? it through his great love we mature in truth. If perfection is the goal, which Peter writes the goal of faith is salvation of our souls and faith is increased in truth then in regards to leading, love is the way to perfection in truth. His kindness leads us to grow up. Kindness also leads to repentance.
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?*
Even to those who were under the Law and under His wrath He had great patience towards them, thus patience like kindness is of His character. Kindness is not weakness, it is meant to lead us to Him. Paul writes grace is a service to us as it is His power perfecting us. Thus we are led by the Spirit, and those led are not under Law but under grace. Grace is a place in which we stand, which we have access to by faith. From the riches of His grace we receive spiritual blessings in Christ; adoption, and redemption, the forgiveness of sin. So if you do not believe in grace how can you be blessed from the riches of His grace? Possibly you do not know Him or have fallen from grace? God demonstrates His kindness to us. Kindness is a place in which we stand before God, the opposite would be to be cut off from Him.* Paul writes to forfeit His grace is to sever or cut off from Him.
Also having admission by faith into this very thing, grace in which standing.*
Truly, grace is being highly favored in the Beloved, and it is much more. The word standing is ἵστημι (histēmi) to make to stand, set, place, to stand fast. Truly leadership would cause others to stand, to live up to their purpose and destiny. Leaders would not cause others to stumble which the unjust judgement of legalism does. There is a standing, putting on the armor of God which implies having been established upon a firm foundation.* This firm foundation is established by grace through faith, being rooted and grounded in love, blessed with spiritual blessings from the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus. It is a standing having put on truth, like a belt all around you, covered in truth.* It is a standing empowered in the might of His strength. A becoming strong through abiding in the words of Jesus, overcoming evil. We can say the mission of the Church is to cause the children of God to stand. And we can carefully call leadership as that which serves this purpose. And we can define leadership as the best means of serving this purpose. The example we see of the leadership of Christ is based upon kindness.
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in word of truth, in power of God through weapons of righteousness, the right hand and the left.*
Here kindness is mentioned as weapon of warfare, as our war is not against people, but spiritual authorities and rulers. We see characteristics of those who lead as Jesus; kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, "as the elect of God, holy, and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience..."* Truly such leadership is not like the world that domineers over others. As we excel in faith, knowledge, and love Paul writes we are to excel in grace.* In fact as we grow in faith and godliness, we add to these brotherly and agape love.* It is truth in love that leads the way to perfection. Grace and loving kindness are very closely related, truly signs of a mature Church and characteristics of godly leadership.
Now, when the goodness and kindness of God, our savior appeared... we became heirs according to the hope of eternal life.*
How did we become heirs? through God demonstrating His kindness toward us in Christ. The Law came through Moses but grace and truth through Jesus Christ. Truly by the grace of God Jesus leads many sons to glory thus he is the Leader and champion of our salvation who was perfected through suffering.* Truly we love God because He first loved us and we know of the love of God through the Spirit which pours out love into our hearts. God demonstrated to us through Christ his kindness and from the riches of His grace and kindness we are blessed from the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. If we know Him we know of his love and kindness and know kindness led us to repentance. If this is true then Jesus led us to God through kindness. If Jesus leads with kindness we should also follow His example leading others to Him through kindness.
Alive