But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. (2 Corinthians 13:7-9 ESV)
This is the ultimate test of leadership: that a person would give up (sacrifice) their image of success or failure simply for the sake of others. Today, many so-called leaders are more interested in their own reputations and images, successes and achievements, rather than the welfare of others. But look at the Apostle Paul’s motivation: Your restoration is what we pray for.
In essence, the true test of Paul’s ministry was: did it cause others to do more of what was “right”? Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.” Ministry and organizational wine skins may come and go, but if you have been faithful to the restoration of others, you have faithfully been a dealer of the New Wine.
Paul didn’t care what “seemed” to be a failure as long as the process had moved others to do more of what was “right”.
By all outward appearances, the life and ministry of Jesus seemed to be a failure when his fate met the cross. His followers were scattered and the enemy boasted in victory. Yet the death of a particular ministry model (the way Jesus lived with his disciples for three years) transitioned and gave way to something much bigger—a gospel movement that became unstoppable and spread exponentially.
Missional leaders don’t worry about what may be deemed as success or failure; they simply live for one aim—the restoration of others. Their ministry context may change from time to time, but their leadership and influence have caused others to live more missionally in bringing glory to Jesus.
Paul said, we pray to God… not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. Notice the words “appear” and “seem” carried no weight with Paul. It was all about the restoration of others. And that, my friend, is so much greater a goal to live for than a concern over appearances or personal reputations.