I am trying to view this letter through the filter of leadership because it is a private letter to Timothy, a leader and a son in the faith for Paul. There are more leaders than we realise, not only those behind pulpits, but parents, grandparents and in every sector. Even if you think you’re not a leader then these lessons are still for your Christian discipleship.
These next few verses are powerful because they reveal the foundation for good leadership from an honest appraisal of Paul’s own life. Every thought, word, response and action reveal what is underneath and what no one can see, the bedrock.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1 v 12-14)
If this bedrock is not there then eventually the building will collapse. So what is it?
- Gratefulness.
The position of any leader and any Christian has not come about because of some mere achievement. Paul acknowledges who is his bedrock – Jesus Christ. It is a privilege and a responsibility to serve as a leader. When there is zero entitlement and simply total gratitude then it completely changes the leader’s perspective on what they have become, what they do, how they speak and respond. It is chalk and cheese. Entitlement will turn your stomach when you see it but gratitude will draw you closer to the leader. The reason being is that gratitude lays a pathway where everyone is valued not used.
- Reliance.
No one has all the answers. A leader should be able to be heard to say, ‘I don’t know’. Pride destroys many leaders and the key is to know there your reliance is. Paul says Christ Jesus has given him strength.
- Trust.
Paul says Christ Jesus considered him trustworthy. Character matters more than credentials. There is no gifting that outweighs trust. It is built through integrity, consistency and reliability. It takes a long time to build and it can come falling down in a moment of madness.
- Vulnerability.
Paul was honest about his past. He doesn’t re-write history. He doesn’t hide his mistakes. This isn’t about making yourself the centre of everyone’s titillating interest but it helps to show you are human and have failed in the past. The problem comes when a person never sees they’ve made a mistake.
- Grace and Mercy.
Paul says he was shown mercy and grace was poured out on him. He became a strong influential leader because he experienced the God of second chances. These form the bedrock of our lives. Without them we will struggle to be the leader God calls us to be.
Missions Paul 