Leadership Through LoveSample

The Sweet Sixteen is about love. God's Word gives us sixteen characteristics (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) that embody what He created love to look like. Over the next week, we're going to look at several attributes that will give us a roadmap toward "perfect love". Before we dive into the traits, it's important we understand that fear-based motivation cannot co-exist as we pursue what God calls agape love.

Have you ever seen (or participated in) a fear-based method of motivation? Sadly, scaring someone into doing something has proven to be a very successful in getting results, but also destroys the relationship in the process. God's Word says that perfect love (agape) not only disagrees with this method, but it removes it all-together. As Christ-followers, we are called to love one another as Christ has loved us. God set the standard for what pure-intentioned motivation looks like by sending His Son to die for us. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

God chose to give the most precious thing He had, so that we could be in right-standing with Him. He chose to lead us to an understanding of His love by giving all that He had, rather than scaring us with the repercussions  of the consequences of rejecting Him. Hell is real, and a byproduct of not allowing God to forgive you of your sins, but it's not how He motivates us to choose His free gift. As leaders, we should strive to compel others to grow by loving them, rather than controlling them with fear.

Today, spend some time with God and ask Him to reveal to you any relationship(s) in your life where fear has been the main source of motivation. Make it a priority to start treating them with the same grace that God has shown you.