Leading with Grace
In Christianity we sometimes find a debate on the role of "works" in salvation. This debate is fueled by seemingly contratictory statements in the scriptures. For example, Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
- Ephesians 2:8-9
Yet, James wrote to the church saying:
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
- James 2:17-18
In order to resolve this conflict, we have to understand God's plan for each of us. The Savior himself said:
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect
- Matthew 5:48
Now, I'm not sure about you, but I'm definitley far from perfect. In fact, excluding Christ himself, I have yet to meet anyone that is even close to perfect. Clearly this is an impossible commandment UNLESS we are expected to reach that state sometime after this life. I believe that God intends for us to strive to become our best selves, and we need the grace of Christ to reach that goal. Let me explain:
Imagine you have a goal to become a world-class rock climber. Although reading books and hiring an instructor will certainly help, you actually have to start climbing in order to gain skill. As you progress, you will need to increase the dificulty of your climbs if you want to continue to improve, but here is the dilemna - anytime you attemt to climb something that will really test your skill, you run a significant risk of failing. If you are climbing anything of significant height, that could mean serious injury or death--either of which will significantly impede the progress of an aspiring rock climber.
Fortunately, most climbers use a system of ropes and harnesses that provide a failsafe should they slip and fall. When used properly, this equipment allows climbers to experience the thrill and challenge of climbing without significantly decreasing their life expectancy.
Life is very similar. In order for us to grow and become our best selves, God allows us to be challenged in ways that are uniquely difficult for each individual. He does this because it is the experience of overcoming challenges that allows us to grow, and in order for us to fully take advantage of those challenges, we need to strive to face them in a way that will be pleasing to our Father in Heaven. We need works.
However, as we face these difficulties, we often slip and fall. Nobody gets through unscathed. We lose our tempers. We act selfishly. We become indulgent, and sometimes we even lose faith. Fortunately, we too have a failsafe. We have the grace of Christ made possible by His atoning sacrifice. That grace allows us to fall and keep on trying. It is through grace that works are possible.
As we lead others, we can apply the same principles. Too often, managers, parents, teachers, or other leaders find themselves at one extreme or the other. Either they fail to challenge those they lead in fear of them failing, or they push them to excellence and punish when they fail.
Great leaders know there is a better way. Just as Christ pushes us to excellence and then saves us from irredeemable failure, great leaders will push their people to stretch themselves and create a safe environment for them to fail. This doesn't mean that leaders should spare their people from all pain--Christ certainly lets us feel our share, but that pain should be instructive, not punitive.
Although noone will reach perfection in this life, each of us has the potential to reach perfection in the next one. This path to perfection is enabled by the grace of Christ. As we encourage others to push and stretch themselves while providing failsafes to catch them when they fall, we will be doing our part to help them reach that perfect potential.
