Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities
into the depths of the sea.
(Micah 7:18-19)

Christianity will remain tiny unless we believe that our faith is absolutely true, that it tolerates no rivals, and we accept no compromises. That is the kind of integrity that God, the Holy Spirit blessed and used in the ancient world in spreading the knowledge of Christ.[1]

As we lead our teams in light of God’s priorities, as we view our projects in light of God’s redemptive plan, we may not be successful as the world measures success. The church in Colossae that Paul wrote to was destroyed in an earthquake several years later. The church in Laodicea that received a copy of Paul’s letter to the Colossians is remembered for their lukewarm faith (Rev 3:16).

As we lead our teams, God may bless us with success beyond our wildest dreams, or we may be called to sacrifice everything. For Paul it meant prison and ultimately martyrdom. What value do you place on the lives of your team members? Are you willing to die for them, even as Christ died for us?

As leaders we will make mistakes; team members will disappoint us; we will not always hold firm to the fact that our faith is absolutely true, that it tolerates no rivals, and there are no compromises. But, as long as we confess our sins, Jesus will forgive us, cleanse us, restore us, and out of his undeserved grace we will be invited to continue to lead with integrity.

We need to take heed when the ‘successful’ siren call from the world starts to drown out God’s voice, and at those moments we like the early church need to be reminded afresh of God, God’s plans, God’s character, and God’s grace. At those moments we need to hear these words that are constantly proclaimed in the throne room of heaven!

Holy, holy holy
Is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was, and is, and is to come.
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being. (Rev 4:8, 11)

Thought for the day

What value do you place on the lives of your coworkers?

Prayer

Jesus, I am prone to forget your plans, your character, and your grace. Forgive me. Remind me again today of your plans. Give me a fresh glimpse today of your character. Open my eyes to see your presence. Cleanse my heart today with your grace. Give me the words to speak that I might remind someone today of who you are and what you have done for them. Amen.

 

[1] Wells, David F.  No Place For Truth (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1993) : 104