Being and Doing
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 NIV 1984
As followers of Christ, we are called both to ‘be’ and to ‘do.’ But note the order!
We are first to be holy for the One who calls us and whom we confess as Lord and Savior is holy. Doing flows out of being. If we are not holy on the ‘inside,’ in our hearts and minds, then our actions, our ‘doing’ is at best hypocritical, at worst, deceitful.
Kingdom leaders focus on being with Jesus before they seek to serve others for Jesus! It is this abiding with Him that He reminds us of in John 15. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV Notice the order – abide in Him….bears much fruit…. otherwise, apart from Him we can do nothing.
Leaders are doers. We are never satisfied with the status quo, always seeking to change, improve, advance, accomplish, and further the mission we have been entrusted to steward. It is this default to ‘doing’ that at times overrides the ‘being’ aspect of our lives. The branch separates from the vine and assumes it will continue to bear fruit. How foolish!
The demands upon us are straining our remaining closely attached to the Vine of Life. Don’t let the chaos of the day consume your soul. Remember the exhortation of Joshua to the leaders he was about to leave, “Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.” Joshua 23:11 ESV
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. Hebrews 3:1 NIV 1984
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… Hebrews 12:2 NIV 1984
How’s your soul?
Are you fixed and focused on being with Him and knowing Him more deeply?
Developing Kingdom Leaders - Tom Yeakley 