Manifold Grace
Romans 12:1-8
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is..."
(Romans 12:6)
"Grace" is a nuanced word, moving from shades of abstract meaning to the very concrete. It speaks of justification, being made right with God without our own merit - what an amazing dimension of grace this is, that we are welcomed to rest on the merits of Christ's perfect life rather than on our own attempts at perfection.
Grace also encompasses the favor of God. We have His favor though we have done nothing to earn it. This is not just justification, but favor in all areas of life. It rains down on the just and the unjust alike, delighting us all with His favor through creation, beauty, and life.
And then grace refers to abilities given to us by God, often referred to as gifts of the Spirit or gifts of grace. Paul wrote, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you..." (Romans 12:3). Whatever the gifts that we have, we experience them because of God's gracious design to cultivate them in us. Like the farmer who tills his land, we work to develop the potential of our God-given abilities.
INSIGHT
Our lives are filled with grace. The more we comprehend grace, the more we enjoy God, and the more we glorify Him.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 45-46
Psalm 93
Acts 16
Romans 12:1-8
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform 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.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
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