Lead like Christ

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  Mark 8:34-35

Lead like Christ. This goal is a tenant of my vision, part of the path to “be a man of God.” When I composed this aspiration, I tried to choose my words carefully. Let’s dissect the phrase to see if I did.

The word “lead” is from the Middle English, leden, which means to guide, to direct, to serve. If you search through synonyms, you’ll find “lead” could also mean to command, to govern, to have authority over someone or something. The word “like” is from Old English, akin, which is defined as the same form, similar, bearing resemblance. “Christ” is from the Greek, Christos, which means literally anointed, the Messiah, Jesus. Therefore, “Lead like Christ” can be re-written as to direct, to serve with authority bearing the resemblance of the anointed Messiah, Jesus.

One could argue that the phrase “Lead like Christ” is really just being a Christian, because there are many who believe the word “Christian” means “little Christ.” However, if you examine the words etymology, Christian is Greek for Christianos. During the time of Jesus, the suffix ianos was popularly used as “slave of.” Therefore, Christianos means “slaves of Christ.” This does not match up entirely with my vision tenant. This tenant is to define my actions as father, husband, co-worker, and friend. When I’m confronted with daily life, I should consider What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD) or What Did Jesus Do? (WDJD). I should “Lead like Christ.”

What are the components of leading like Christ? I can think of a few traits such as serving, humble, courageous, mentoring, compassionate, and decisive. I’ll research this in further blogs, but before becoming this leader you must deny yourself, humble yourself, and give glory for anything to the rightful place – give the glory to God.