II Corinthians 6

“We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry” (v3). To those in Corinth who were questioning his leadership credentials, Paul said that his life was an open book. He didn’t point to huge successes to justify his ministry, but to “great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger” (v4-5).  Rather than charisma or skills, Paul said the marks of a Christian leader were “purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God” (v6-7).  

“As dying, and behold, we live” (v7).  Followers of Jesus are called to reject the world’s models of leadership and instead imitate our Savior.