Grace to Follow God's Call
Up till this point - we've only discussed grace as it applies to sin and obedience.
Grace will forgive every sin.
Grace will teach you right and wrong.
Grace will empower you to live righteous.
Obedience to God's laws can only come by grace through faith...not by fleshly attempts.
But now, as we bring our discussion of God's grace to a close, we'll turn to the ultimate purpose of the grace of God. This post will not be about how grace relates to obedience to God's law....but rather, how it relates to God's call.
You see, grace was ultimately given to us so that we can fulfill God's purpose for our lives.
We've already read Hebrews 12:28, where we're encouraged to stay in grace, "by which we may serve God acceptably..." This verse isn't just about obedience to His law. Any service to God has to come through grace...otherwise, it isn't acceptable!
Grace will forgive every sin.
Grace will teach you right and wrong.
Grace will empower you to live righteous.
Obedience to God's laws can only come by grace through faith...not by fleshly attempts.
But now, as we bring our discussion of God's grace to a close, we'll turn to the ultimate purpose of the grace of God. This post will not be about how grace relates to obedience to God's law....but rather, how it relates to God's call.
You see, grace was ultimately given to us so that we can fulfill God's purpose for our lives.
We've already read Hebrews 12:28, where we're encouraged to stay in grace, "by which we may serve God acceptably..." This verse isn't just about obedience to His law. Any service to God has to come through grace...otherwise, it isn't acceptable!
"Commended to Grace"
Paul knew this. He knew that he could never fulfill the calling of God on his life by his own strength or wisdom. From the very beginning of his ministry, he operated by grace through faith. Acts 14:26 tells us that when Paul was first sent out by the church at Antioch, he was "commended to the grace of God." We see this idea again in Acts 14:40, where Antioch sent him out a second time, "being commended by the brethren to the grace of God."
In Romans 1:5, Paul (paraphrased) claimed to have received his apostleship by grace. Then we see him say in Galatians 1:15 that he was "called through God's grace". Then he told the Ephesians (in Ephesians 3:2) that he was given grace specifically for their benefit.
Moving even further into the concept, Philippians 1:7 tells us that there were churches who partnered with Paul's ministry, and shared in his grace because of it.
Paul's ministry and calling...everything he wrote, every miracle that was performed, every church that he established, and every life that he touched...it was all a working of grace!
Paul had faith that God called him to the ministry.
And if God called him, then Paul believed that God would empower him.
This faith in the call, released the grace to fulfill Paul's ministry to the church.
This is the pattern for all ministry in (and by) the church. Whether it's hosting an evangelistic crusade, delivering weekly messages in the pulpit, praying for a sick coworker, changing diapers in the nursery, or vacuuming the church floor - All ministry must be done by grace.
Paul had faith that God called him to the ministry.
And if God called him, then Paul believed that God would empower him.
This faith in the call, released the grace to fulfill Paul's ministry to the church.
This is the pattern for all ministry in (and by) the church. Whether it's hosting an evangelistic crusade, delivering weekly messages in the pulpit, praying for a sick coworker, changing diapers in the nursery, or vacuuming the church floor - All ministry must be done by grace.
Grace For Your Specific Function
This is what Peter meant when he called God's grace "manifold" (1 Peter 4:10). This is a many-sided grace that is designed to fulfill God's unique purpose in your life. This means that each of us have grace that is specifically tailored for our calling here on earth.
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God provides, and in all things God may be glorified..." (1 Peter 4:10-11)
This shows us that there is a grace for speaking God's Word, and also a grace for ministering to others. Here we also see that the ability to do both of them comes straight from God Himself!
Other functions of grace can be found in Romans 12:6-8, where Paul says:
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."
In these three verses, we see seven more gifts of God's grace work through us:
Prophecy
Ministry (or any type of service)
Teaching
Encouragement (what "Exhortation" means)
Giving
Leading
Ministry to the Needy ("Showing Mercy")
In Acts 14:3, grace granted signs and wonders.
In Romans 12:3, Paul used grace to deliver God's instructions to the church.
In 1 Corinthians 3:10, grace enabled Paul to found the Corinthian church.
In 2 Corinthians 8:6-7, grace empowered the Corinthians to freely give offerings to the needy in Jerusalem.
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, grace brought the Corinthians everything they needed to do any good deed.
Each of these acts of service and ministry require God's power to be truly effective - which is why Paul said that they come "according to the grace that is given to us." And how can we step into that power and function? The same way we always access God's grace, by faith in what He said. This is why Paul said in Romans 12:6 that we must use these gifts of grace "in proportion to our faith."
As you serve in these things, put your faith in God's call on your life. He wouldn't tell you to do anything without also giving you the power to do it. My friends, you can do anything God called you to do - all by grace!
When You Don't Feel Qualified
Have you ever felt unqualified or inadequate to follow God's call on your life? If so, you're in good company! No believer has ever walked in their ministry (whether in the church, on the street, in the family, or on the job) while always feeling like they're enough for the task.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of a time when he felt completely unqualified to continue doing what God had called him to do. He actually begged God to remove some of the burden of the ministry from his shoulders (the cares of the churches - something that he referred to as a "thorn").
But in verse 9, Paul gives us God's answer - and it's something we all need to keep in mind as we serve Him:
"And He said to me, 'My grace is enough for you, for my strength is made complete in your weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather brag about my weaknesses, because that's when God's power truly comes upon me!"
God's grace IS God's strength to complete His plan. This is why Christians so often fall short of His plan for them...they were never supposed to attempt that plan on their own! When your own strength fails you, relax - that was always what was going to happen!
Take a deep breath. Refocus your faith in what God told you. And then step back out in the power of His grace!
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of a time when he felt completely unqualified to continue doing what God had called him to do. He actually begged God to remove some of the burden of the ministry from his shoulders (the cares of the churches - something that he referred to as a "thorn").
But in verse 9, Paul gives us God's answer - and it's something we all need to keep in mind as we serve Him:
"And He said to me, 'My grace is enough for you, for my strength is made complete in your weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather brag about my weaknesses, because that's when God's power truly comes upon me!"
God's grace IS God's strength to complete His plan. This is why Christians so often fall short of His plan for them...they were never supposed to attempt that plan on their own! When your own strength fails you, relax - that was always what was going to happen!
Take a deep breath. Refocus your faith in what God told you. And then step back out in the power of His grace!
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