Jesus Style Leadership 1 - Call & GraceSample

Grace and Grief

Leadership Lesson

Grief and grace go hand in hand, and this develops humility in Jesus-style leaders.

Read James 4:4-10

Comment

This Scripture was written by James who was Jesus’ brother and the leader of the Jerusalem church. James was particularly concerned about Christians who misunderstood grace and freedom. Some Christians thought that because God treated them with grace, it didn’t really matter what they did. These Christians saw God as a gentle grandparent type who, in his grace, easily put up with any misbehavior. As you can see in this passage, James finds this view of grace incredibly dangerous. We need to receive grace humbly as a costly and undeserved gift, not proudly as our deserved right. We grieve deeply over our weakness and failure and then are released and lifted up by God’s incredible grace. This pattern of deep grief and powerful release grows humility because it shatters illusions of our ability and builds a profound appreciation of God’s grace. If you acknowledge and grieve (and mourn and wail 4:9) over your brokenness, you will actually enjoy the freedom and goodness of God in a much deeper way.

Prayer

I don’t want to deny or defend my brokenness. That will only lead to self-confidence and pride. I humble myself before you Lord, I admit my worldliness, and I ask for forgiveness and purity and power. In your time and grace, Lord please lift me up.

Personal Reflection

How do you grieve over your sin? How often should this happen? Should this grief be private or public? Why?