By Brandon Smith
Anyone who’s been in leadership—whether in the business world, the church, the home, or school—knows there is almost always someone who will disagree with you. Sometimes it’s disagreement over certain policies or ideas or practices. Sometimes it’s a disagreement with your entire philosophy.
Paul experienced this opposition regularly. He was often criticized for his theological views, the practices of his ministry, and the people he associated with. In fact, he was critical of other leaders at times too (Galatians 2:11–13). At some level, leaders are always out front, which means the crosshairs find them quite easily. And frankly, folks are often quick to point a finger when something goes wrong.
While Paul was explaining, and even defending, his leadership here, it is riddled with principles we all can learn from. In short, every Christian is called to make disciples, and so every Christian is a leader. So what does Paul say about his own ministry?
He explained that his right to be in apostleship was rooted in Scripture and servant leadership. He told the Corinthians that as he was called by Jesus, he had preached a gospel and philosophy based on God’s Word. All of his teaching was for the good of others and building up their faith. And the Corinthian church’s faith was proof of his ministry. They were “the seal of [his] apostleship in the Lord” (1Corinthians 9:2).
All of us can learn from Paul here. As ministers of reconciliation (2Corinthians 5:16–21), we are called by God to lead others in biblical truth and servant-hearted humility. Regardless of opposition, if we are grounded in this—God can use us just as He used Paul.
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