Leadership is about influence, the experts tell us.
Where does spiritual influence come from? Listen to the wise words of the Scottish pastor Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843),
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Men return again and again to the few who have mastered the spiritual secret, whose life has been hid with Christ in God. These are of the old time religion, hung to the nails of the cross.
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In other words, The depth of our relationship with Christ, and the extent to which the cross is operative in our lives determines the extent of our spiritual influence on others.
I first heard this quote from my Bible School president and teacher, L.E. Maxwell (1895-1984). He was a man of considerable influence in his time. I think McCheyne’s quote was his favorite saying. It has stayed in my memory over the past 35 years and come to mind often.
Maxelll probably came across this quote in Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) devotional classic My Utmost for His Highest. This book is still in print (available in over 40 languages) and is read daily by Christians around the world. McCheyne’s quote impacted Chambers, is highlighted in the forward as the reason the book was compiled.
This one quote, written 170 years ago, influenced Chambers, who influenced Maxwell, who influenced me. And by God’s grace, it will pass from me to others. It has been influential because it is true. The cross in our lives makes a difference.
