Have we received the grace of God in vain?

 

Have you received the grace of God in vain?

We grow up and live in a society where very few people emerge as leaders and the vast majority as followers. In the Christian life however, each one must learn to stand on his/her two feet firmly planted on the solid foundation which is Jesus Christ. Whatever one builds on this foundation, his/her work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work (1Corinithians 3:12-13).

It is written, “But to each one of us grace was or has been given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7).

Grace is what brought us thus far in life, and it is grace that will bring us to our final destiny. Grace is what taught our hearts to fear, and grace relieved us of fear. What is this thing called Grace? Grace is God’s Unmerited Favor, which consists of four things:

1. His only Begotten Son whom He gave for the life of the world

Jesus Christ is life eternal and the Father has given Him to man as a gift, by which all humanity can come to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3, 1John 5: 20).

He gives to all men life and breath and everything else so that men will seek Him, and perhaps reach out for Him, and find Him although He is not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our existence. By one Spirit we were all baptized or immersed into Him at His death. According to the words of Jesus Christ Himself, “I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (.John 12:24).

This He said referring to His body that has become the true vine and we are all the branches. The branch that does not bear fruit, the Father who is the husbandman cuts, and the one that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. In order to be fruitful one has to remain in the vine, because without Him one can do nothing.

The question is “Have we taken this aspect of God’s grace in vain?

2. Gifts, talents, and abilities:

This aspect of God’s grace is to be used to the honor and glory of God, and to minister to others for the benefit and common good of all. As it is written; “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 4:10; Romans 12:6; 1Corinthians 12:4-7).

 Have we again taken this aspect of God’s grace in vain?

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph