CHARACTER IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER - PART ONE

ARE YOU READY TO ROW AGAINST THE WIND?

In 2003, K.P. Yohannan taught a series of lessons to 500 field leaders gathered for the Gospel for Asia Conference in India.


Since then, they have been distributed to an additional 14,500 pastors and evangelists who serve with the Gospel for Asia in 10 Asian countries. They remind me of Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest, since they were written under similar circumstances.

Yohannan’s lessons deal with the importance of character in the life of the believer. He reflects on Paul’s letter to Timothy and identifies 19 specific characteristics of the effective leader. They are:

1. Called by God and they know it ( II Timothy 1:1) 
2. People of integrity (II Timothy 1:3-5) 
3. Lead by the Spirit of Christ (II Timothy 1:6) 
4. Self-disciplined. (II Timothy 1:7) 
5. Courageous (II Timothy 1:8) 
6. Totally dependent upon the Lord 
7. Committed to making disciples 
8. Willing to suffer for Christ’s sake. (II Timothy 2:3) 
9. Principle centered (II Timothy 2:5)

So, we are only half way through Paul’s conversation with Timothy about being an effective spirited leader. There’s more. Much more.

How about it? Living by these principles carries a price. Are you willing to pay it? Are you willing to row against the wind?