Key Thought:  Our obedience to God is NOT simply the fulfillment of duty. It is the avenue through which we 1) experience personal joy (John 13.17), 2) please God (1 John 3.22), and 3) express our love for Him (John 14.1, 21, 23). It is God’s desire that we learn and do His will for us (Col. 1.9; Eph. 5.17).

Heart ___PREPARATION___

1.  We must be completely _SUBMITTED_ to God (Prov. 23.26: Eph. 5.18; Rom. 12.1).

2.  We must be __WILLING__ to do His will, whatever this may be (Rom. 12.2).

3.  We must deal with any known ___SIN___ in our lives (Rev. 2.5; 1 John 1.9).

4.  We must __ASK__ God to show us His will (James 4.2).

God’s Perceptive (Revealed) Will

This concerns God’s will for us as described or commanded in the Scriptures. Christians should give special attention to the New Testament, since this portion of the Bible reveals the Lord’s will for His people during the present time. While all the Bible is profitable for us (2 Tim. 3.16-17), it is not all directed to us (e.g., sacrificial ritual of Mosaic law). God has not given us specific direction for every matter of daily conduct. He has left it to us to discern the rightness of those things that are not specifically dealt with in the Scriptures. The following guiding questions can help us in the discernment process.

Questions to Ask: Relating to God

1.  Will this action __GLORIFY__ God (1 Cor. 10.31; Phil. 1.11; 1Peter 4.1; Matt. 5.16)?

2.  Can I do this by ___FAITH___ in God (Gal. 2.20)?

3.  Can I do this in the Lord’s ___NAME___ (Col. 3.17)?

Questions to Ask: Relating to Other People

Expressions of Christ’s love that governs our relationships with other people, whether they are saved or unsaved (John 13.34-35; Rom. 13.8-10; Gal. 5.13; 1 John 3.23; Matt. 5.44).

1.  Will this action cause others to ___STUMBLE___ (1 Cor. 8.9, 13; 9.19-23; 10.24-29, 32; 1 Peter 2.12)?

2.  Will this action promote the ___WELL-BEING___ of others (1 Cor. 8.1; 9.19-23; 13.4-7; 10.23-33; 14.26; Rom. 13.10)?

Questions to Ask: Relating to Ourselves

1.  What effect will this action have on my ___BODY___ and ___MIND___ (Rom. 6.12-13; 1 Cor. 6.12-15, 18-20; 1 Thess. 4.3-7)?

2.  What effect will this action have on my ___SPIRITUAL___ life (1 Peter 2.1-2; 2 Peter 3.17-18)?

• Will this action decrease my love for God (1 John 2.15)?
• Will this disrupt my fellowship with God (1 John 1.5-7)?
• Will it dull my appetite for His Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, and Christian ministry (1 Peter 2.1-2)?
• Does it conflict with my conscience (Rom. 14.5, 23)?
• Will it tarnish my Christian life and testimony (1 Tim. 4.12; 2 Tim. 2.22)

God’s Selective Will

This concerns God’s will for us in our choice of ___ALLOWABLE___ options, as in the selection of a school or in the purchase of a car.  We must consider options and select the most suitable one according to our needs, interests, health, financial state, purpose, or circumstances. Then we must analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this option and decide whether or not it is best for us.

• We must ___EVALUATE___ this selected option in the light of God’s indicators.
• The teachings of Scripture and the impressions of the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation on the Word.
• Our circumstances: Is it possible to pursue this option at this time?
• We should avoid considering more than one option at a time, for this can be confusing and misleading.

God’s Commitment Will

This consists of our fulfilling ___PREVIOUS___ commitments, promises, or obligations (Eccl. 5.4-5; 2 Cor. 8.10-11).

God’s Practical Will

Having asked the Holy Spirit for direction, we should do what appears to be the most ___REASONABLE___ thing in our circumstances (“common sense”; exercising sound judgment).

All leaders share in a common battle against temptation. Some leaders engage in this battle under their own strength, but spiritual leaders use the resources offered in Scripture. Leaders can be tempted with pride, arrogance, greed, sex, power, wealth, compromise, influence, control, and more. Leaders who are truly successful (in leading themselves, their family, a group, or an organization) are competent in battling temptation. Their competence is rooted in a close connection with Jesus Christ–the vine of John 15.1-11. I recently spoke on this subject and have included the audio recording (above) a summary outline (below). I hope this helps you, the reader, be a stronger leader.

1.  Realize that your __BATTLE__ is not against “flesh and blood” but against the spirit world and evil forces.

Eph. 6.12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”  All of life is spiritual. Spiritual influences impact very joy, every conflict, every success, and every failure.

2.  Believe (trust) that Satan’s power in any specific area can be __BROKEN__.

Acts 26.18: “… to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” – Jesus speaking at the Apostle Paul’s conversion.

Eph. 6.16: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

3.  Utilize the powerful spiritual __WEAPONS__ given to you by God for the destruction of Satan’s power.

2 Cor. 10.3-5: “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…”

1 Thess. 5.8: “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

4.  Stand firm by believing in the __NAME__ of Jesus.

Believing in the name of Jesus is a strong agreement and alignment with all that Jesus Christ represents: his absolute eternal authority over all things (Matt. 28.18), his absolute love for and commitment to his followers (John 17.19), his absolute perfection (1 John 3.5). [see Acts 16.16-18]

5.   Stand firm by __OBEYING__ Scripture and talking __WITH__ God.

Eph. 6.17-18: “…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

6. Stay firmly __COMMITTED__ to God’s truth and God-minded living.

Rom. 12.1-2: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Eph. 6.14: “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…”

7. __TELL__ others __YOUR__ good news (gospel) about Jesus Christ.

Rom. 1.16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

8. __PRAY__ in the Spirit at all times.

Eph. 6.18: “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (1 Thess. 5.17)

Matt. 6.9-13: ““Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread, ¹²and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

9. Fight for __MORAL__ purity by putting God first (love) – not the world.   

1 Cor. 10. 12-13: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (also 1 John 2.15-17)

1. Criticizing: Many people (supervisors, parents) think they must criticize if others are to improve. For them, criticism is a way of life. The problem is that no one likes to be criticized. Effective communication uses more productive approaches in guiding others.

2. Labeling: We live in a world of labels. If we can label the problem then we can fix it; so the thinking goes. If we label the person (derogatory names) then we can change or at least marginalize that person. Labeling prevents us from getting to know other individuals. They are no longer a person—just a “type.”

3. Diagnosing: Instead of listening, some people try to play emotional detective as they probe for hidden motives. Communication is eroded when one person diagnoses another and their so-called “problem” – especially when they lack expertise in the area in which they are offering a diagnosis.

4. Manipulative Praise: Praise is sometimes used as a gimmick to try to get people to change their behavior. When those with ulterior motives offer praise, there is often resentment of the effort to control or manipulate the person or the situation.

5. Ordering: An order is a solution to a problem that is sent coercively and backed by force. Coercion often results in resistance and resentment. Orders indicate that the other person’s judgment is unsound.

6. Threatening: Threats produce the kind of results that are produced by ordering others. A threat emphasizes punishment if the proposed solution is not implemented.

7. Moralizing: Moralizing is an attempt to support ideas with the force of social, moral, or theological authority. The words “should” or “ought” are often said or implied in moralizing statements. Direct scriptural teaching is always appropriate and is different than moralizing. Moralizing takes fallible human ideas and wraps them in a false sense of righteousness.

8. Excessive Questioning: Good questions have an important place in effective communication. However, some people ask questions constantly, turning a once-pleasant conversation into something that feels like a one-way interrogation. As the conversation “collapses” these excessive questioners ask more questions and further obstruct good communication. They have no sense of conversational dynamics. Of course, asking the occasional open-ended question is good but a steady stream of questioning gives the impression that one person is trying to manipulate the other.

9. Advising: Advice-giving is rarely helpful. Helping others “discover” truth is much more constructive. Offering guidance that is solidly grounded in Scripture is always good. However, much advice-giving is not Scripture-based and comes with a tone that implies the other person lacks the capacity to understand and overcome his or her problem. Further, many advice givers fail to fully understand the complexity of the problem. Consequently, they may offer advice that is actually inappropriate for a particular individual and his or her unique situation.

10. Diverting: Switching a conversation from the other person’s concerns to your own topic is called diverting. Many people dislike talking about heart issues such as affection, anger, conflict, and death. When these topics are being discussed they will divert the conversation to a topic that is more comfortable for them. At other times people will divert the conversation because of their own self-interest; lacking the social awareness and skills to listen effectively.

 Jesus: Servant

The leadership style of Jesus is complex but can be summed up in the word—servant. In Matthew 20.25-28 and in John 13.13-17 Jesus teaches the importance of believers having the attitude of servant in their relations with one another. Jesus was a servant in the sense that first and foremost he served God and secondly he served people (see Matt. 22.37-39).

 Moses: Commitment

Moses had a leadership style that is common to all the great leaders in Scripture—an intense devotion to God and God’s purposes. His anger in Exodus 32.19 flowed from a heart that was devoted to seeing the will of God fulfilled. Further, Moses was committed to his followers. In Exodus 32.11 Moses interceded for his people asking that the Lord turn from His anger towards them. Moses’ leadership style also demonstrates his commitment to his divine call from God.

Joseph: Integrity

Joseph’s leadership style is marked by integrity. As lord over Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, Joseph certainly had the opportunity to execute revenge on his brothers for the evil they had done to him. Not only was Joseph a victim of physical violence, he was sold into slavery (Gen. 42.21-22; 50.15-20).  But in one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, Genesis 50.20, we learn of Joseph’s integrity and his God-saturated thinking when he said: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Nehemiah: Focused

As cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was not a scholarly priest or a prophet; he is what we would call a “layman.” Having direct access to the King, he had a unique opportunity to promote his own agenda, but Nehemiah demonstrates that he was intensely focused on the mission God had given him (Neh. 2.12). The work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem faced many potential setbacks, but Nehemiah remained focused on the task at hand. In one of the most famous statements in the entire book, Nehemiah said to his opponents: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” (Neh. 6.3).

Peter: Charismatic

Peter had a “take charge” kind of personality. He walked daily with the Lord Jesus Christ and had experienced both victory (Matt. 14.22-33) and agony (Luke 22.54-62) in his spiritual formation. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2.14-41), Peter rose and preached Christ to the crowd and a great evangelistic move of God ensued (Acts 2.41). When Peter acted according to his own purposes we see blunders, but when he charismatically acted in fulfillment of God’s purposes we see great moves of God.

 Barnabas: Encourager

The name Barnabas actually means “son of encouragement.” A sharp dispute arose between Paul and Barnabas over whether or not to take John Mark on their missionary journey. Barnabas felt that John Mark was worthy, so Barnabas separated from Paul and took his cousin, John Mark (Col. 4.10), with him. Apparently, Barnabas was effective at encouraging and mentoring this young man. In 2 Timothy 4.11 Paul requests that Mark come to him and mentions that he is very useful to Paul in the ministry.

 Paul: Directive

The directive leadership style of the apostle Paul is most evident in his letters to Timothy and Titus. Paul says in Titus 1.5, “…appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” In 1 Timothy 1.3, Paul says, “As I urged you…,” which also confirms a highly directive style of leadership. Paul also needed to correct a disorderly situation in Corinth. In Titus the apostle urges Titus to be assertive in his leadership (2.15; 3.1, 10). His directive style is also seen when Paul is in chains (Acts 27). This style of leadership is especially needed when a given situation is chaotic or reflects godlessness.

 Joshua: Courageous

Joshua had been told three times by the Lord to “be strong and courageous” (Josh. 1.6, 7, 9). Like any leader, Joshua faced times of fatigue and discouragement (Josh. 7.6-9) but ultimately Joshua’s courage was rooted in the absolute faithfulness of God and his promises (Josh. 23.14-15). One of the most interesting aspects of Joshua’s leadership is how he recovered from setback. Scripture records two times that Joshua went ahead of God and “failed to wait, pray, and walk by faith” and consequently experienced defeat (Josh.7-9). Leaders will make mistakes, but the true test of their leadership is what they do with those mistakes.

 Daniel: Humility

Daniel’s humility and faith stand as something to be modeled by all leaders. Daniel’s heart was totally devoted to God. He stood firm in his Scripture-laden values, trusting God, when all indications suggested that compromise was the “smart” thing to do, if he wanted to move up in the kings court (Dan. 1.5, 8). Daniel was a humble man of prayer who sought wisdom and guidance through study of the Word of God (Dan. 9.2), rather than the seeking the opinions of men. The humility and faithfulness of Daniel’s heart provided the soil through which God could demonstrate his mighty works to the nations.

 God: Visionary

God is the most visionary of all leaders (e.g., Gen. 3.15; Isa. 53; Rev. 19-20). God calls all leaders, and all people, to turn from unsatisfying worldly visions and seek a vision of complete fulfillment and everlasting life. God’s vision is embodied in Jesus Christ. In a world filled with deceit and confusion God breaks in with the hope (the Gospel) that there is a superior way—a preferred future. In a similar way, leaders today must set before their people a vision of a preferred future.

Summary

One clear observation is that the leaders portrayed in the Bible have traits that overlap in one way or another. Their leadership appears to be a matrix of styles that God employs in accomplishing his work. These character qualities form a solid biblical basis from which further inquiry can be made with respect to best practices in leadership. As one looks to the leadership qualities of secular leaders, living or dead, he (or she) must keep the biblical foundations in mind so as to not be misled into methods of leadership that ultimately are not pleasing to God.

Many Christian leaders report that although they have extensive educations they have never received comprehensive training on the Christian worldview. They admit they spend inadequate time studying God’s Word or reading Christian literature. These leaders are very much aware of shifting demographic, political, and technological trends, but they are unaware of the expectations God has for them. They have no idea what God is currently doing in the world around them, but they want to know God’s heart. The following are some tips you might find helpful as your strive to balance career and family with spiritual growth.

1. Be intentional about your spiritual growth. Develop a plan. Set aside specific times to read and engage in serious study. Set goals for yourself.

2. Free up space in your life so you have time to read. Spiritual growth occurs when it is a priority. Otherwise, almost anything will take its place in our busy lives. Clearly, there is not enough time to do everything you would like to do each week, so you must make hard choices with your schedule.

3. Use technology to help you. Listen to audio recordings on your way to work or during your lunch break. Read an e-book or article on your laptop, smartphone, tablet or other electronic device.

4. Join a learning cluster. Find people who want to grow in their Bible knowledge, and organize yourselves to study together. I recently learned about a group of 10-15 CEOs who meet three times a year. These busy executives meet at a hotel near an airport for a concentrated time of teaching that occurs over a 24-hour period. These busy leaders schedule time to fly to the designated city to undergo intensive biblical training on being spiritual leaders in the workplace. Then they return home to carry on their business and family responsibilities. This is a significant sacrifice, but the reshaping work of God and the impact upon their careers is well worth it.

5. Surround yourself with learners who also want to grow in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives. Seek out strong Christians and ask them to recommend books that will help you grow in your faith. Approach the thinkers within your Christian community and have in-depth discussions with them. Far too many people are satisfied with average. Don’t let these unmotivated people deaden your desire to grow spiritually. It is a great challenge to keep learning while also holding a busy, highly demanding job. But there are ways. God wants you to grow in your understanding of him and his Word.

1. Whatever you do in word or in deed, do it for the Lord (Prov. 3:5; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 5:15-17; Col. 3:17). As you perform your job, realize that Christians are called to honor Christ in all dimensions of life, including your activities in the workplace. You are a spiritual being; therefore, your work life is as spiritual as your devotional life. All of your life belongs to God.

2. Do all things without complaining and disputing (Phil. 2:14). The world has plenty of critics and people who seem to continually complain. Keep a positive attitude. As a Christian you know Jesus Christ and no problem is beyond his power.

3. Be humble (Prov. 11:2; 16:5; 29:23; Phil. 2:5-8). Follow the example of Jesus Christ who set aside his heavenly throne to live as an average citizen among the people he had created. Even commentators on secular leadership recognize that great leaders are humble people.

4. Watch what you say (Prov. 8:8; 10:19-21; 15:23, 26; 16:13; 25:15; Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6; James 3:1-12). Words wisely chosen can encourage and energize others. Careless talk can weaken you or your listener. Don’t speak in a reckless manner. Think before you speak. Be mindful how you address others. Do you tend to inspire people, or injure with your words?

5. Keep learning (Prov. 1:5). Smart leaders realize there is much they don’t know. Keep reading, studying, and seeking godly, Bible-saturated, advice. Maintain a teachable spirit. Don’t let pride keep you from growing. The Bible is a storehouse of wisdom, and even secular leaders are discovering that biblical principles make sense. As a person who influences the culture that surrounds you, you can’t afford not to know God’s Word.

6. Guard your integrity (Ps. 18:23; 26:11; 37:37; 41:12; Prov. 2:7; 11:8). Whether you’re in the business and professional sector, or ministry, if you are a Christian, you are an ambassador for Christ. Competitiveness can tempt some leaders to compromise their principles if the outcome looks appealing. Don’t compromise. Don’t allow anyone or anything to dismantle your integrity.

7. Seek good counsel (Prov. 11:14; 13:18). Good advice is invaluable. The wisdom of a godly colleague can save you from critical decision-making mistakes. You must be teachable, however, if you are to benefit from wise advisors. Be proactive in seeking wise counsel. Don’t be like King Rehoboam who ignored wise instruction and listened instead to people who led him to his ruin (1 Kings 12:1-20).

8. Show mercy (Prov. 11:17). Running a business or leading an organization requires some difficult decisions, but as you seek to improve your organization’s standing, never forget to show mercy. You are where you are by God’s grace. It is possible to be competitive in your career and in business while being gracious (Mic. 6:8).

9. Control your anger (Prov. 15:18; 16:32; 29:11; Col. 3:8). Many leaders have lost everything because they could not control their temper. Anger is a deadly sin because it blinds people to the really important issues. Resentment and retaliation can destroy relationships, causing otherwise clear-thinking people to say foolish and very harmful things.

The whole world is the arena of his divine activity. God designed humanity and all his creation so that it would reflect his glory (Psa. 19.1; 1 Cor. 10.31). Your business and professional activity is a channel through which God can receive honor, an avenue through which he can express his love for people, and a conduit he can use to deliver grace to a hurting world. If you view your company as secular, you may compromise with questionable ethics, exploitation of your employees, or greed, which will discredit your Christian witness. By artificially categorizing career as separate from Christian life, a person is not only dishonoring God, he or she is more likely to subject themselves to failure. Why? Because if a Christian’s life dishonors their heavenly Father, then God will discipline His child (Heb. 12.5-11). Many Christians have testified that it took financial and professional disaster to reorient them from pursuing worldly goals in their career to putting God first.

The ways to serve and honor God through your business and career are limitless. At the same time, don’t rule out the reality that God may choose to bless your enterprises extensively. When you willingly honor God through your leadership, he may choose to guide you to remarkable success. Consider: Joseph (Gen. 41); Joseph of Arimathea (Matt.27.57-60); Lydia (Acts 16.11-15). Don’t think of your work as being merely secular. It is your ministry setting. It is (or can be) a vibrant, integral component of your Christian walk. Welcome God into your workplace. Seek his wisdom and trust his leading.

A major responsibility of leaders is the on-going selection of and development of new leaders. The process of identifying future leaders is both a means and an end. It is an end in that it produces new leaders for organizational expansion and growth. It is a means towards growth in that it stimulates life in the organization. Emerging leaders bring new life to the organization. Leaders who fail to recognize, select, and develop emerging leaders miss out on a huge opportunity for both personal and organizational growth. Overlooking this aspect of leadership almost guarantees a weak future organization that is overly dependent upon a single leader.    

►Why is this important? Without the development of future leaders any organization is just one generation away from mediocrity. New and emerging leaders often help to offset “plateau” in organizations that are struggling. When organizations are strengthened, with the presence of emerging leaders, the current leader is more secure, not less secure.

►Biblical examples include Jesus and his development of the disciples in the Gospels and the apostle Paul and his development of future leaders.

What is wisdom? It’s not knowledge. A person can have much accumulated knowledge and not be wise. True wisdom is seeing and responding to life from God’s perspective.  It includes attitudes, actions, and skills that can be acquired as we diligently seek the mind of God. Many of our problems grow out of our not responding to life from God’s perspective. In fact, Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 3.13-18 identifies several benefits wisdom offers: “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, ¹⁴for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. ¹⁵She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.”  Proverbs says blessing, long life, wealth, honor, pleasure, security and happiness are wrapped up in learning to be wise. Proverbs 19.8 teaches that, “The one who gets wisdom loves life…” In other words, do yourself a big favor—get wisdom!

There are only two sources of wisdom: 1) the world or 2) the Word of God revealed through the Scriptures. These two sources are often in contradiction to one another. But, the wisest man who ever lived said that true wisdom comes only from God. In Proverbs 9.10 we read that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” And in Psalm 111.10 we learn that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.” The first characteristic of becoming wise is the ‘fear of the Lord’. In the Scriptures fearing the Lord means 1) to fear running away from him, 2) fearing to seek refuge, and joy, and hope anywhere but in God, 3) fearing the tragic consequences of not trusting and depending on God to meet our needs, and 4) fearing attempts at understanding the world around us without the illumination that comes only from God.

How do I get wisdom?

Wisdom must include a sensitive, mature judgment and discernment of how the fear of the Lord should work itself out in the many circumstances not specifically dealt with in the Bible. The apostle Paul says that there must be a “renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12.2). There are at least three biblical instructions for acquiring biblical wisdom. First, desire wisdom with all your might, “Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you” (Proverbs 4.8). Proverbs 2.4 says we are to seek wisdom and understanding “as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure.” Second, since God’s wisdom comes to us through the Scriptures, we must apply ourselves in study, discussion and reflection. Psalm 19.7 declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 119.130 says, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 1.1-3 commends the person who intentionally takes time to consider the Scriptures: “Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; ²but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. ³He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season; and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Third, we should pray that God would grant us wisdom. Solomon was not born a wise man but he prayed for wisdom. God honored Solomon’s request saying, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹²I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart” (1 Kings 3.11-12).

While initial sanctification occurs instantly and is where we are delivered from the kingdom of darkness and delivered into the Kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1.13), progressive sanctification continues over time until we go to be with the Lord. Initial sanctification is entirely the work of God the Holy Spirit who imparts to us the life of Christ. Progressive sanctification is also the work of the Holy Spirit but it involves a response on our part so that we as believers are actively involved in the process.

The progressive nature of sanctification is implied throughout the New Testament letters in all those instances where we are called upon to grow, to change, to put off the deeds of the old man and put on Godlike character.

Romans 12.2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

2 Corinthians 3.18: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

The word common to both these passages is transformed. In both instances the verb transformed is in the present tense, indicating that the action is continuous. These Scriptures indicate that personal transformation takes place as a work of the “Lord, who is the Spirit,” and through the renewing of our minds. In both these passages the verb be transformed is passive, indicating it is a work done in us rather than by us. (However, many Scripture passages stress human responsibility in the work of progressive sanctification.) And the passive voice of the verb be (or being) transformed indicates that the transforming work of progressive sanctification is the work of God’s Spirit. God is the One who changes us more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This transformation is much more than merely a change of outward conduct. It is a renovation of our inner being. It means our motives as well as our motivations are being constantly changed.

Although the verb be transformed is in the passive voice, it is in the imperative mood, therefore it is a command to do something. This indicates that we as believers are not passive in this transforming process. God has given us a mind and heart with which to respond to and cooperate with the Spirit as He does His work in us. This is consistent with Paul’s classic statement in Philippians 2.12-13 of the working together of the believer with the Holy Spirit who is at work within him, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Adapted from Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges