Saul was the first king of ancient Israel. He looked like a king, a striking man—tall and handsome.1 He enjoyed success for a season but was rebellious.2 His pivotal act of rebellion was his failure to obey God’s command to totally destroy the Amalekites; instead, he decided to keep the best for himself.3 When confronted about his rebellion, he initially denied it, but when his denial proved false, he rationalized it.4 Saul’s disobedience was tantamount to rejecting God. God reciprocated by rejecting Saul.5 Though chosen by God and commissioned to be king of God’s people, Saul rebelled against God and was judged.
Like King Saul, Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul,6 was a rebellious leader. He said of himself, “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.”7 And like King Saul, Saul of Tarsus initially appeared to succeed in this rebellion against God. Rightfully, Saul of Tarsus deserved the same end as King Saul: judgment. But instead, Saul of Tarsus was given grace. Why was King Saul judged and Saul of Tarsus (Paul) given grace? Perhaps, in part, the reason had to do with his calling. Paul stated that from his mother’s womb he was prepared for his work of presenting the gospel of the grace of Christ.8
During Paul’s time, the ubiquitous view of attaining right standing with God was based on obedience to the Mosaic law. The gospel of the grace of Christ was considered an extreme view. Therefore, to articulate this gospel required someone with a unique background—someone who radically experienced the superiority of grace over human works. What better person than Paul—one of the most zealous legalists of his day. His profound transforming encounter with Christ was not based on anything he had done; in fact, he deserved the same fate as King Saul. But instead, he was given profound revelation of the grace of Christ so that he could become a leading emissary of this grace.9
The apostle Paul’s experience illustrates not only the sovereignty of God in extending his grace, but it also illustrates how our life circumstances prepare us for our life purpose.
God is indeed sovereignly at work in our lives both before we know Christ and afterward—all for his purpose. And God sovereignly works his purpose even in the lives of those who never know Christ, such as Pharaoh.10 God is sovereign, intentional, and strategic over everyone and everything in life.11
The nature of God must be considered in the task of building organizations. Wise leaders seek to build with people in whom Christ is being formed. Such people enjoy the favor of God in fulfilling their destinies. For people in whom Christ is not evident, leaders should seek to disciple them. The predicate for discipleship is humility, submission, and teachability in the disciplee. The riskiest workers are those who, like King Saul, appear to know God but are in rebellion against God. In time, their rebellion will be manifested in their work. And God’s judgment will be executed on them, which could impact the organization. To protect against such collateral damage, leaders should seek to facilitate the formation of Christ in people, which will help people mature so they can realize their potential through their callings.
Here is your business tip. Wise organizational leaders seek to discern both the level of maturity and the call of God on people. Such leaders develop people by facilitating the formation of Christ in them, understanding that maturity in Christ is a key to release calling. Leaders must avoid the temptation to use people for their own agendas, which is abuse. Instead leaders must disciple people into maturity in Christ. This is the predicate to organizational success, that is, the right people serving the right customers or clients by doing the right things the right way in the right place at the right time for the right reason.
_________________________
1. 1 Samuel 9:2.
2. 1 Samuel 15.
3. 1 Samuel 15:9.
4. 1 Samuel 15:13–15.
5. 1 Samuel 15:23.
6. Acts 13:9.
7. Galatians 1:14 ESV.
8. Galatians 1:15.
9. Acts 9.
10. Romans 9:17.
11. Isaiah 46:9–11.
|
.png)