I often find that the worst obstacle I have in leadership is myself.  I get all wrapped up in Tim and what I can or can’t do.  I worry about my skills and my accomplishments.  While I think I am being a conscientious leader, I am really just being self absorbed.  It has taken me years to understand that I can’t be concerned with myself and my progress all the time.  This causes leaders to get derailed is their spiritual growth.  It is so easy to let the demands of work rain on the blessings of Grace.  I know even pastors fight this.
     That is why for the next couple of weeks I want us to look carefully at 2 Peter 1.  There is a string of events listed here that should be happening in the life of all believers and especially leaders.  We will be judged more harshly because our spiritual and moral failures can cause a domino effect in those who follow us.  If the leader is lost then everyone is lost.
     In verse 3 and 4, we read: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires, 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV).”  We find the source of all we need is found in Grace.
     It is hard for us to comprehend this miracle called grace.  Often we are like the Galatians and try to accomplish in the flesh what we started in the spirit (Gal. 3).  We let the world convince us we are the originators of all that we accomplish.  God’s Word is telling us in this passage that Grace is the place we start.  Everything we need to become as a leader is found in grace and not the world. 
     We have bought into the world’s lie which says our faith is something separate from our leadership.  It tells us we need to keep it at church and out of the workplace.  It says we can only learn about religion from our faith and real knowledge comes from science.  That is the biggest lie you will ever hear in your life.
     When I want a half truth, I go to the world.  When I want powerful truth, I go to the Living Word of God.  It has all of the answers I need.  Anything in this world that is truth comes from God.  EVERYTHING else is a lie.  Neither the flesh nor the world has the capacity or desire to bring forth truth (Romans 1). 
     What would happen if Christian Leaders began to learn real leadership and life from the Word?  I’ll tell you what would happen, their leadership would be revolutionized.  Do not make the mistake of letting your spiritual growth become subservient to your leadership and/or work.  True success comes from growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.  Have you let that slip?  Are you leading on half truths?  Where is your priority in spiritual maturity?  To be a great leader, you have to be led of God.
And Remember – Jesus wins,
Tim