March 18, 2015

Jesus is our ultimate example in everything we do, so when it comes to character, I think we should pursue the traits He portrayed to the best of our ability. There are lots of character traits of Jesus but I want to concentrate on the five below because I think these five things are so important in women’s ministry.

1.  Compassionate

The first thing that always comes to the top of my list when talking about Jesus is the amount of His compassion. The Bible says He was moved with compassion.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (KJV)

Compassion moved Jesus to do things. He healed people. He forgave people. He loved people. When we truly have compassion it moves us care about people just like Jesus did.

2.  Loving

Jesus ultimately loved us so much that He died for us. Look at His ministry on earth and how He interacted with the people He came in contact with. Love stands out.

That’s what Jesus wanted us to do too. He wanted us to love people. It was so important that He said it was a new commandment. A commandment is an important thing. It’s something we are supposed to obey. It’s a rule. It’s not just a suggestion.

We don’t have a choice. If we are a Christian, we are to observe the commands the Lord gives us.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34 (KJV)

We have got to learn to love those women within our ladies groups. Love can propel us to do so much.

3.  Serving

The next thing I think about when it comes to Christ’s character is that He was serving. He served the people. A re you familiar with the lesson Jesus taught over in Mark chapter 9 where He taught the disciples on being first? He told them they could accomplish that by being a servant.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35 (KJV)

Remember when Jesus washed the disciple’s feet? That was being a servant.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:12-17 (KJV)

Do you see what Jesus says after teaching them the lesson on washing each other’s feet and being a servant? "Happy are ye if ye do them."

Serving others can make you happy. I know working in women’s ministry and serving is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

4.  Humble

The next thing about Christ that I see is that He was humble. Christ was Son of God yet He humbled himself.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:3-8 (KJV)

Being humble is the opposite of being proud. If we allow pride to enter us as leaders it can cause some real problems. We need to be quick to get rid of any pride that comes sneaking in. We have to constantly work on being humble like Christ.

Verse 5 of that chapter says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus". Look what it is talking about there. It is talking about putting others first. It is talking about being humble.

We have to realize that in women’s ministry it isn’t all about us. It should be all about Christ.

5.  Forgiving

Another character trait of Jesus that we should try to have is that mindset of being forgiving. Jesus forgave sin. That’s what His coming was all about – to provide forgiveness of our sin.

Even when He was on the cross we see Jesus was forgiving.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34 (KJV)

Jesus spoke several times about forgiveness in the Bible. Forgiving is an important part of a Christian’s life. We have to be continually forgiving too. Look what Jesus told the disciples when they came and asked how many times we are to forgive.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21,22 (KJV)

If you work in women’s ministry you are going to have to develop a forgiving heart because you are going to need it. As women’s leaders we work with all types of women who are full of emotions. Some are the sweetest women in the world but all of the women you deal with are not going to be that way.

There will be times when things will be done and said and you are going to have to forgive. Forgiveness is one of those traits of Jesus that you need to take hold of for yourself.

Final Thoughts

We have to develop the character of Jesus if we are ever going to grow as a Christian. That’s what the Christian life is all about—being Christ-like. When we start pursuing those traits that Jesus portrayed the easier it is to share His love. There are hurting women all around us who need Christ. We have to develop a love for them. We have to care for people. It’s what Christ did.

As leaders, we are going to have to get past all the petty stuff that builds up in our women’s ministry groups. We are really going to have to get in the zone of following Jesus’ example. We’ve got to see what is important, verses that which is trivial, inconsequential, and useless.

Jesus knew what was important. We see it in how He lived and how He acted. We see it in all of these five traits – compassionate, loving, serving, humble, and forgiving.

What was important to Jesus? People. He showed them how he cared for them. He had compassion for them. He loved them. He served them. He was humble toward them. He forgave them.

Let’s start exhibiting these traits more as we work in our women’s groups. We need to care and love people in the way that Jesus cared and loved people

So, are you pursuing Christ-like character?

Copyright ©2015 Julia Bettencourt

Go to the Leader Devotions.

• Leader Vault
• Blog
• Home