Tag Archives: Christlike character

Grace in the Workplace

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Living for Christ in the workplace can be challenging because of the competing values and practices that often prevail in a secular environment. While the world may emphasize self-promotion, competition, and power, Christians are called to humility, service, and grace. These opposing approaches can create tension, especially when trying to balance integrity with the pressures of career advancement. In such situations, diplomacy becomes helpful, as it allows us to navigate these conflicts with wisdom and tact, maintaining our witness without compromising our values. By responding with grace, we can embody Christ’s love in a way that is both effective and respectful of the diverse environment in which we work. As believers, we are not called to simply endure the pressures of the workplace (which can be toxic); rather, we are called to influence it for God’s glory and the edification of others.

As a growing Christian, I want the character of Christ to shine through me. Jesus is my Lord and example for how to live in a fallen world. Jesus said of Himself, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Elsewhere He said, “Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). There’s a quiet kind of greatness that shows up not with a spotlight, but with a bent knee and a servant’s towel (John 13:1-17). It doesn’t demand attention or scramble for position, but gets to work—loving, serving, and building. It does not seek power or promotion, but opportunities to serve and give so that others might be edified.

Scripture directs us to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4). This mindset is radically different from the world’s model of self-promotion and competition. The Christian doesn’t climb over others to get ahead—we lift others so that everyone gets ahead. By adopting this healthy perspective, we create an environment where mutual success is celebrated. This kind of humble service doesn’t reduce us to doormats; rather, it transforms us into bridges that build strong, healthy relationships.

Sometimes, being a bridge means bearing the weight of others’ offenses without breaking. Solomon wrote, “A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov 19:11). That’s a picture of maturity and grace at work. When we allow love to cover the small hurts and frustrations of workplace interactions, we open the door to peace, trust, and progress. In doing so, we reflect Christ’s patience and forbearance, showing that strength is not in retaliation, but in enduring with grace. And when someone treats us poorly, it’s natural to hurt, but unhealthy to hate. Extending grace, especially in the face of minor offenses, is a healthy way to let go and move forward.

As believers, we are called to a deeper kind of care for our coworkers—one that goes beyond simply making the workplace more efficient or harmonious. We are called to genuinely desire their well-being, not just because it benefits the office environment, but because we truly want what is best for them. Our hearts should be motivated by a sincere desire to see them succeed, not out of competition, but out of a willingness to partner with them in their growth and success. Paul exhorts us, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Th 5:11). Every word of encouragement, every thoughtful act, every moment of unselfish service becomes a quiet but powerful ministry in the marketplace, where the love of Christ is made evident.

Interestingly, when we live lives that honor God and edify others, it often paves the way for our own advancement. It’s a principle that favor flows where grace goes. In a world that relentlessly focuses on personal branding and professional advancement—where everything is geared toward self-promotion—believers are called to a higher standard: to serve without recognition, to bless without being asked, to love without expecting love in return, and to give with no prospect of receiving. For the growing Christian, virtue becomes its own reward. We work diligently, but we do so with heaven’s values in mind, not merely the goals of our employers. If we want to leave a lasting, positive impression in our workplaces, we must strive to reflect Christ in all we do. Show up with grace, offer help more than what’s asked of you, and remember: it is entirely possible to ascend the ladder of success while lifting others up alongside you. In doing so, we mirror the humility and servant-hearted leadership of our Savior.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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Being the Good Boss

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Good BossGood character is never automatic but is consciously developed over many years through right learning and living amidst trials, storms, and conflicts. It is an inescapable truth that strong character—like a strong body—is forged through training and testing. As the adage goes, “No pain, no gain.” If we are willing, we can view life’s trials as opportunities to make us better rather than bitter. We can voluntarily submit ourselves to the furnace of affliction, which burns away the dross of weak character and cultivates those golden qualities that reflect the highest and best in humanity. Over time, we may even learn to smile at the storm, knowing the One who sends it and trusting that it comes with a purpose—one that includes developing the good character that could not mature by any other means.

But there are other forces at work in the world—other value systems that are harmful and may lead me down destructive paths. Any dead fish can float downstream with the current, but it takes someone who is alive and strong to swim against it. I want to be that person. I want to be the kind of person who desires to walk with God daily and who helps and encourages others to do the same. God has granted me the privilege of leadership in my marriage, in Bible class, and as a supervisor at work. I take these responsibilities very seriously because I understand that who I am and how I live influences the thoughts and actions of others. The following is a list of good character qualities I aspire to cultivate, though it is by no means exhaustive. I see a good leader as one who:

  1. Submits to God. “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (Jam 4:7). ”I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom 12:1).
  2. Resists conformity to the world. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).
  3. Lives by Faith. “But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him” (Heb 10:38). “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb 11:6).
  4. Possesses integrity. God said of king David, “So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands” (Psa 78:72). “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out” (Prov 10:9). Having integrity means a person is not artificial, but is genuine in character, honest in speech and faithful to promises.
  5. Does not slander others. “The Lord states, ‘You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a malicious witness’” (Ex 23:1; cf. Psa 15:3; Pro 11:3; Tit 2:7-8).
  6. Associates with wise persons and listens to their counsel. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov 13:20). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. (Prov 12:15).
  7. Governs wisely. “By me [wisdom] kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly” (Prov 8:15-16).
  8. Does not befriend immoral persons. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Psa 1:1). “I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders” (Psa 26:4).
  9. Prays often. “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Eph 6:18). “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Th 5:16-18).
  10. Brings stability to those under his/her care. “The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it” (Prov 29:4).
  11. Cares about justice. “You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev 19:15). “He has told you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic 6:8).
  12. Searches to find the facts of a matter before rendering judgment. “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. (Prov 18:13). “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter” (Prov 25:2).
  13. Preserves the rights of others by clear thinking. “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, for they will drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted” (Prov 31:4-5).
  14. Educates and delegates responsibility to trusted persons. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, told him, “select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you” (Ex 18:21-22).
  15. Is compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, forgiving and loving. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Col 3:12-14) “I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love” (Eph 4:1-2).
  16. Looks out for the interests of others. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4).
  17. Encourages and builds others up. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building someone up according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29). “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Th 5:11).
  18. Pursues peace rather than strife. “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psa 34:14). “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Rom 14:19).
  19. Recognizes his/her authority and uses it to serve others, not to tear them down. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:25-28; cf. John 13:1-17).
  20. Rebukes wickedness. “He who says to the wicked, ‘You are righteous,’ peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; but to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them” (Pro 24:24-25). “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Th 5:14).
  21. Is slow to anger. “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city” (Pro 16:32). “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Prov 17:27; cf. 15:18; 19:11; 29:11).
  22. Is not argumentative. “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim 2:24-25).
  23. Uses wise and gracious words. “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice” (Psa 37:30).  “Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him” (Eccl 10:12), and “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col 4:6).

On a day-to-day basis, good leaders listen to their team, stand up for them, trust them, and refrain from micromanaging every aspect of their work. They communicate clearly, consistently, and collaboratively. They seek advice, listen to concerns, and consult their team on the best solutions for success. They set high expectations and encourage others to strive for excellence, operating according to agency standards and reaching for new heights. They also care about the well-being of their team outside of work, promoting good physical, social, and mental health.

Good leaders can be tough when necessary. They live in reality and understand that some individuals may not respond positively to their leadership. In such cases, they may need to use their authority to reprimand or even terminate staff; however, this is always a last resort, employed only after all other positive strategies have been exhausted. Ultimately, a good leader lives sacrificially for the benefit of others, always desiring the success of their team as well as the success of the agency.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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