Reflecting back on the last two posts, “Jesus on Leadership” and “Jesus on Teaching,” I find myself asking: “What is the most important teaching of Jesus?” It will be no surprise that “Jesus on Love” is the answer to that question and today’s subject of this devotional.
How does love factor into the equation for ministry and marketplace leaders? As a fervent student of leadership for more than three decades, I have never seen love listed as a leadership competency. Have you? If it is really Jesus’ greatest teaching, then why is it not taught by leadership “experts” as a core competency for leaders? Consider the words of Christ Jesus when asked: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV) I don’t have a good answer to my question of “why is love not taught as a core leadership principle?” You would think that this would be the very first principle we study as we learn how to lead others. Let’s ask that question of our Lord and Master, Christ Jesus. QUESTION FOR CHRIST Lord Jesus, why is your greatest commandment not taught as the most critical skill throughout the world of leadership training? I sense God is saying that this world and all its so-called “wisdom” is passing away, but that His Word will never pass away. How do you think that Christ is answering this question? Maybe: • You are living in a fallen world. What do you expect? • Man knows almost nothing compared to all that is known by me. • Because this answer doesn’t sell books. As you ask Christ the answer to this question, what do you sense He is saying to you? Please write me and tell me what you hear. WHY ASK WHY? In the final analysis, my conclusion is this: “Why ask why?” Why wonder why the world in all its supposed wisdom does not teach love of God, self, and others as the most important factors in making a great leader? Fellow Christ-followers, we know that God’s Word is true. We know that God’s greatest demonstration of love is found in Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV) No greater love has ever been witnessed by the world, that God took on our humanity, to demonstrate for us how to lead with totally unconditional, completely sacrificial, and absolutely perfect love. Jesus Christ is the single best role model for ministry and marketplace leaders who desire to grow their leadership skills and abilities to the next level. Christ gave us the greatest leadership competencies to work on: Love of God, self, and others. We need look no further than this: “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free.” (Mark 10:45, NIRV) LOVE OF GOD I must love God with all of me; every facet; every fiber of my being. As I strive to do this, it serves as a role model for others to likewise love others with the love of Christ. LOVE OF SELF As I fully accept all of God’s love for me, I must embrace that love and allow myself to love myself, knowing my redeemed spirit is God’s holy and sacred creation. I need to honor God’s life in me with God’s love for that eternal life. LOVE OF OTHERS As I receive God’s love and reciprocate by loving God with my all in all. Then I can and must share this love with all of humanity. That includes all those that are easy to love, and all those that are hard to love. The never-ending love of God has a never-ending well we can draw from to give a never-ending stream of love to all people, everywhere. ACTIONS TO TAKE May we realize the total enormity of God’s love for us, may we love ourselves with that unconditional love, and may we freely give of this inexhaustible supply of love to all. Amen. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. January 3, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Comments are closed.
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