The Work of Shepherds (1)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2.20

Sermon X
Columbanus (ca 543-615)
“Thus let us live to Him Who while He dies for us is life; and let us die to ourselves that we may live to Christ; for we cannot live to Him unless first we die to ourselves, that is, to our wills. Let us be Christ’s and not our own; for we are not our own, for we are bought at a great price, and truly a great one, when the Lord is given for a slave, a King for a servant, and God for man.”

The work of a shepherd is to lead and direct the Lord’s flock into the green pastures and beside the still waters that are found in the presence of Christ. As Paul reminds us, we are to teach, admonish, equip, and make disciples, so that we might present all those entrusted to us “complete in Christ” (Col. 1.28). But we must make sure that we ourselves are growing into Christ, so that those who follow us will not be led astray. Living to Christ means that we live for His Kingdom, by His Word, in His Spirit, and within His walk. We seek the lost as He did. We lay down our lives for the sheep. We deny ourselves and take up the form of a servant to defend and care for His flock. We devote ourselves to building His Church. We seek only the Father’s glory, and none of our own. We proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom and pray daily, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, O God, be done.” Let living for Christ be the hallmark of our lives, and that hallmark will be more likely to mark the lives of those we shepherd as well.

Are you living to Jesus? How do you prepare each day to die to yourself and live to Christ?

Growing into Christ
Our Pastor to Pastor series, Growing into Christ, is now available as a free PDF, set up for a series of 28 morning and evening readings, meditations, and prayers. A free copy awaits you by writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Here’s a tool you can use for your own growth, and in leading others to grow into Christ and live in Him.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations are from G. S. M. Walker, ed., Sancti Columbani Opera(Dublin: Institute for Advanced Studies, 1957), pp. 61 ff.