"He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Shepherd My sheep.' "
John 21:16
The Risen Christ confronted Peter with the fundamental relationship every citizen of the Kingdom must settle before they assume the mantle of ministry. Before Peter engaged in ministry in the Kingdom, he must embrace The King.
Leaders in the Kingdom love the King. They check their egos and logos at the door, and embrace Jesus with a total surrender of their personal priorities, prejudices and preferences. The King places His sheep in the care of those who will feed His sheep, not fleece them or devour them.
Christian history is filled with documented evidence of church leaders carrying out the work of the Lord without being in love with the Lord of the work. What the leaders do in moderation, the people do in excess. Eventually, the church bears little resemblance to the Body of Christ.
The story of revival reveals God's willingness and faithfulness to resurrect His church, when people admit their hearts have grown cold to Jesus. They may have a tight grip on the system, but they have lost their First Love for The Savior. Revival reverses the church's white-knuckled grip on the system, and releases a renewed passion for The Savior.
“The Church right now has more fashion than passion."
Leonard Ravenhill
Investing sweat equity into the system glorifies the flesh, and overshadows The Savior. Make no mistake about it, man-made effort releases a pungent body odor, but it is no substitute for the sweet aroma of The Spirit. The Head of The Church can smell the difference. His sheep can too. In the past, Peter's leadership didn't pass the smell test.
The Risen Christ stepped into Peter's life to reignite his passion for The Savior, not to redouble his effort for the system. Jesus called Peter to embrace an intimate relationship with Him, not to engage in more intensified effort for Him.
Spending more time in the work of the Lord, without spending time with the Lord of the work, turns the church into a machine shop, producing toxic smells of sweating flesh and clanging metal. The Spirit of Christ produces the fruit and aroma of a farmer's market. They both require effort, but only one produces an aroma that reminds people of Jesus.
NOTE TO SELF: To pass the smell test of the Kingdom, don't just sling sweat. Bear fruit. Peter would have to die to his prejudices and preferences. So will you. Before the Spirit released the power of the resurrection in Peter's life, he had to identify himself with the power of the cross. Prayer restores intimacy with Jesus,and releases the power of the resurrection. Your death to self precedes resurrection power and releases the Fruit of The Spirit. This only happens...EVERY TIME. Prayer reignites your passion for Jesus. Accept no substitutes.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!