John Wesley once asked a tough question: “Why has Christianity done so little good in the world?” For a man whose ministry sparked renewal across the world, that seems strange. But Wesley wasn’t questioning the church’s accomplishments. Instead, he was diagnosing its heart. He saw a church that had forgotten what it means to follow Christ in self-denial and daily discipleship.
Wesley believed the church had lost sight of Jesus’ words: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” When we forget this calling, discipleship becomes optional, and leadership becomes more about managing than forming souls. Wesley traced this failure to a deeper issue. It was the church’s neglect of grace.
For Wesley, grace is not only God’s pardon. Grace is God’s power within us. Grace awakens us, forgives us, and transforms us. He described this power of God in at least three ways: Prevenient grace (God drawing us near), justifying grace (God forgiving and reconciling us), and sanctifying grace (God shaping us in holiness). To be sure, these are not steps we complete, but loving movements of God always working in us.
To lead and live as Christians is to cooperate with that grace. Our church programs and plans cannot replace God’s work within our hearts. True leadership, then, whether in the church, our home, or in our daily witness, stewards grace by helping others experience God’s transforming love.
As Wesley wrote, no one sins because they lack grace, but because they fail to use the grace they already have. Today, may we remember that following Jesus means allowing grace to do its work in us. Let us take up our cross, not as a burden, but as the daily reminder that God’s grace is active, powerful, and enough to make disciples of us all.
Stay blessed...john | 
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