Are you “growing in grace?” 5 signs to look for
“Leaders are readers,” the saying goes. They’re always sharpening their skills and broadening their knowledge. But as a Christian leader, are you growing in grace?
Peter tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). We understand the knowledge part, but how can we actively grow in grace?
A basic definition of grace is God’s mercy and goodness to us, even though we don’t deserve it. J.C. Ryle, in his book Holiness (1879), gives us several ways to determine the presence of increasing grace in our lives. (This is similar to a spiritual self-assessment I wrote about a few months ago based on 2 Peter 1:5-7.)
1. Increased faith and love towards Jesus Christ.
“The man whose soul is growing finds more in Christ to rest upon every year, and rejoices more that he has such a savior.”
2. Increased holiness of life and conversation.
“The man whose soul is growing gets more dominion over sin, the world, and the devil every year. He becomes more careful about his temper, his words, and his actions. He is more watchful of his conduct in every relation of life. He thirsts and longs to have a will more entirely in unison with God’s will.”
3. Increased spiritual-mindedness.
“The things he loves best are spiritual things. The ways, and fashions, and amusements, and recreations of the world have a continually decreasing place in his heart…. They seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes.”
4. Increased zeal and diligence in trying to do good to souls.
“The man who is really growing will take greater interest in the salvation of sinners every year…. One of the surest marks of spiritual decline is a decreased interest about the souls of others and the growth of Christ’s kingdom.”
5. Increased humility.
“The man whose soul is growing feels his own sinfulness and unworthiness more every year.”
Ryle points out that some of the most notable leaders in the Bible displayed the greatest humility and a sober understanding of their sinfulness:
- Job said, “I am unworthy” (Job 40:4).
- Abraham said, “I am nothing but dust and ashes” (Gen. 18:27).
- Jacob said, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown” (Gen. 32:10).
- David said, “I am a worm” (Ps. 22:6).
- Isaiah said, “I am a man of unclean lips” (Is. 6:5).
- Peter said, “I am a sinful man!” (Lk. 5:8).
Ryle continues, “The nearer he draws to God, and the more he sees of God’s holiness and perfections, the more thoroughly is he sensible of his own countless imperfections.”
The irony is that the more we see our personal sinfulness, the more we appreciate God’s gift of salvation from those very sins.
How’re you feeling about the growth of grace in your life? Ryle’s book has helped me see the value of grace. It’s encouraging that even the great biblical leaders regarded themselves in a healthy, realistic way. They knew they were weak. I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling that way myself.
In the end, I’m all for growing in knowledge, but the real opportunity lies in welcoming God’s bountiful grace.
Still growing,
Tom Harper
Founder, BiblicalLeadership.com
Now coaching founders, CEOs and ministry leaders: https://biblicalleadership.com/coaching/
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