Relevant Bible Verses:-
1) 1 Cor 8:1 We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
2) Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
3) Matt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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I stumbled upon some very encouraging sermons of an apologist by the name of Dr Ravi Zacharias in my iPod. I did not know that this friend of mine who gave me the iPod had actually downloaded Dr Zacharias’ sermons on it. I truly enjoyed his words and I am thankful that God is using people of such great minds in our time to reach out to the lost as well as to the believers. One particular sermon that prompted me to write this article is entitled “Character Counts from the Leadership and the Political Arena”.
The higher we climb in the corporate world, the more resources we shall possess, the more power and authority we shall be given, the more liberty we shall become, the more respect we shall command and more pride shall emerge. These finer “things” in life are what most people yearn for in this world. Therefore it is really not surprising to me when I read about people who are prepared to cheat and even kill, stooping themselves down to the lowest self esteem point in their lives in order for them to have these finer “things” in life.
Where is God among all these so-called “finer things” in life? My understanding of the word “poor” in Matt 5:3 is simply being empty or nothingness. When our hearts are filled with all these finer things in life, there is simply no room for God. We need to empty ourselves so that God can come in and be blessed. Leaders of all spectrum of life are most vulnerable, no matter how immensely gifted they are. We must live up to the truth in God in the pursuit of life where we embrace humility and recognize His Grace is sufficient for us. Always consider others better than ourselves.
Therefore...
“The greatest mark of a great leader is humility, one who recognized his or her poverty of spirit. Not untamed passions or wanton power or unteachable temperament.
The greatest mark of a great leader is humility, willing to accept that he or she is a sinner saved by Grace standing before God.” (Dr. Zacharias)
Christ came and exhibited his humility by serving the people. Remember, in this world, we are judged by how many people serve us. But in that world, we will be judged by how many people we have served.
3 comments:
Phil. 2:5-8:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of a cross."
This is the pattern our Lord has set before us, not for us to try to conform to or imitate in an outward way, but rather, to admit that we are unable, only He is capable. All we can and should do is to empty ourselves (be poor in spirit) and let Him live through us. Then, we shall be truly blessed with the 9 blessings in Matthew 5.
God is great!
"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings." (Psalm 36:7)
Keep up with your good words.
i've met dr ravi in bali once and can testify that he's a model of humility. Keep blogging soli deo gloria
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