As leaders prone to pride and works of righteousness, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we’re somehow becoming more Christ-like by our own efforts. Sure, we know we’re saved by grace, but we’d like to think that our works make us more holy. In the heat of the daily battle we can forget that, apart from our identity in Christ, what we bring to the party – even on our best day – is “as filthy rags”(Isa 64:6). By leaning on our own righteousness, we damage our testimony with each offense, and push away many to whom we’re called to minister by our self-righteous behavior. In truth, our holiness depends on faithfully abiding in Jesus, which is made possible by His grace. John Piper recently said, “Grace isn’t simply leniency when we’ve sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.” For believers, God’s grace is active in saving us in Christ, sanctifying us in His image, and bringing us safely home!

Confident in God’s grace, we have the privilege of presenting ourselves, in gratitude, as living sacrifices and His ambassadors! When selfless works flow out of a heart that is grateful for such unmerited favor, others can often begin to see the reality of Christ’s love and gospel. With this truth in mind, let’s consider a few questions:

■Jesus told Paul that His “grace is sufficient” and His “power is made perfect in weakness.” How does this relate to us today as servant leaders and shepherds in the workplace?

■Do we behave or communicate as if “God is fortunate to have us on His team”?How can our ‘righteous’ behavior, often rooted in a misplaced sense of guilt or pride, create a stumbling block to others who truly need to hear Christ’s gospel of grace?

■Practically speaking, what does ‘humble reliance’ look like for us and how can this open the door with others to sharing the hope we have in Christ?

To many, God is an angry judge or impersonal concept. They may even dismiss Christianity as a crutch for weak, hypocritical people. Yet, according to the Bible, God’s sovereignty and plan extends to both the ‘macro’ story of human history and our individual ‘micro’ stories (Is 9:6-7, Jn 3:16). Our Triune King is weaving His story, for His own glory, through His creation in a way that involves the salvation of His eternal children through the perfect life, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, the God-Man (Jn 1:1-14). He is drawing out and reconciling a Christ-confessing bride to Himself from every tribe, tongue and nation (Rev 5:9).

Incredibly, even in America, most have never heard the true Gospel of Christ. A winsome sharing of God’s eternal gift of love and grace (Eph 2:8-9), extended to a fallen people (Ro 3:23, 6:23 and Is 53:6) made in His own image (Gn 1:26), will give everyone – believers and unbelievers – plenty to chew on. For most, the emphasis on an eternal relationship, rooted in faith in Christ (Jn 6:47, 14:1-6, 15:5, 16:33, 17:3 and Rev 3:20), will be a new thought!

Although extended freely to us in His perfect love, God’s grace was extremely costly to Him. His unwavering holiness and justice required that a worthy sacrifice be made to atone for our sins and provide a path for His children to come to Him in faith (i.e., “the great exchange”) and spend eternity with Him in everlasting joy and triumphant worship!

Does God want us to tell the story? He emphatically answers this in His Word (e.g., Lk 2:10, Mt 28:19, Lk 9:26, Acts 1:8, Ro 1:16, 2Cor 2:17, 1Pe 3:15). We’re to “not be afraid” and to “speak with sincerity like men sent from God” since the Gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” The Holy Spirit will prepare hearts and we can be confident that God’s Word will not return void. Our role is to simply and faithfully share His truth from our heart.

Are you prepared this season to share the Gospel in your family and business “among those who are perishing”? Will you do it humbly and transparently as one beggar showing other beggars where to find bread? It’s critical that they hear the real Gospel instead of fixating on the behavior of sinful yet religious Christians who live in ways that contrast with what they profess. What are you planning for your company’s Christmas events? How about your Christmas cards? Will they clearly honor our Lord and share His Gospel? How will you follow-up with any who come to Christ during this season? Remember, our actions may serve to inspire other believers to follow suit with those they touch.