Lesson for Spiritual Leaders: Be Ensamples to the Flock
1 Peter 1:3 “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
Peter is exhorting the elders/pastors in the church. He challenges them to do several things:
- Feed the flock of God with God’s Word.
- Take the oversight of the flock not by constraint (force) but willingly, not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind.
- Not be lords over God’s heritage
- Be an ensample to the flock.
Being a spiritual leader in the church, in the home, or in any other aspect is a daunting prospect. The challenge that spoke to me today was about not being a lord over the church but an ensample.
It is important for those in spiritual authority to remember that they are not over but among. 1 Peter 1:2 says to “Feed the flock of God which is among you…” Then 1 Peter 1:3 says, “Neither as being lords over…”
We must remember that we hold a position but we are not above or over. We are taken from among men, have like passions, and just human like anyone else. We should not think that leadership exempts us in any way, but rather it obligates us to live an exemplary life.
We are to be “ensamples” which is just another way to say an example or a model or pattern for imitation. Spiritual leaders should be modelling the Christian life for the flock which is around them. 1 Timothy 4:12 tells us the areas in which we should be an example: word, conversation (behaviour), charity, spirit, faith, purity.
My question for myself and for you is, “How are you modelling the Christian life for those you are influencing?” Are we being examples to the flock? They are watching our life, they are learning good or bad from what we do. Let us take great care to be a good example.
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