How do we know what Christian leader to follow and learn from? The Apostle Paul wrote this second letter to the church in Corinth because there were false teachers telling them they should not follow his teachings.  These were arrogant and charismatic leaders who criticized his physical appearance and speaking skills. They even attempted to discredit Paul’s authority by portraying him as weak.  But Paul addressed these accusations by admitting to weakness and pointing toward Christ.

Some people have weaknesses that are not easily observed, while other people like me have learned to deal with weaknesses that are easily identified.  Whether it is my short stature or struggle to speak fluently, I learned at an early age to not get upset when people point out these issues.  Instead, I learned to be open and real when discussing these issues and physical traits.  Paul states that when a person accepts their weaknesses, hardships and difficulties, others are able to see Christ at work in their lives.

So, what do we look for in our leaders when deciding if we should follow them?  Like Paul, they need to be putting the focus on Christ and not themselves.  They do not need to remind you of all their strengths and abilities.  Instead, they need to be real and humble, revealing at times their own struggles and hardships.  A Christian community that follows a leader who is not afraid to be humble is more likely to connect with each other.  A legalistic community is more concerned about looking good on the outside and doing the right things for others to see.  A person more concerned about what others think about them and putting up a false front will fail to reveal the power of Christ in their lives.  When you grow in your faith so that you become more concerned about pleasing God over pleasing your peers, you will discover faithful leaders who are not afraid of their weaknesses.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10