Monday: Stewards of the Grace of God
What, according to Ephesians 2:8, is something else we have been given by God?
Grace is “undeserved favor.” It is a gift you do not deserve. God has poured out His grace on this planet and, if we would simply not reject it, His grace will reach down and transform our lives, now and for eternity.
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All the wealth and power of heaven is embodied in the gift of grace (2 Cor. 8:9). Even angels are amazed at this ultimate gift (1 Pet. 1:12).
No question: of all that God gives us, the grace given us in Jesus Christ is the most precious gift of all. Without grace, we would be without hope. Sin’s doleful impact on humanity is too great for humans ever to free themselves from it. Even obedience to God’s law couldn’t bring to us life. “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law” (Gal. 3:21). After all, if any law could save us, it would be God’s law. But Paul says that even that can’t do it. If we are to be saved, it would have to be by grace.
Read 1 Peter 4:10. How is stewardship related to grace? Explain how giving to God and to others displays His grace.
Peter said that as we have received the gift of God’s grace, we are to be “stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10) in return. That is, God has given us gifts; therefore, we need to give back from what we have been given. What we have received, by grace, is not just for pleasing and benefitting ourselves, but for the furtherance of the gospel. Freely we have been given (which is what grace is all about); freely, then, we need to give every way we can.
| Think about all that you have been given by God. In what ways can you, then, be a steward of the grace you have been so freely given? |
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Grace, is God's free gift. It has been given freely to us. Because of our harden
hearts we don't accept it, and see God's grace in our lives. We need to forgive, love, and change our mindset, so God will be able, to transform ourselves into loving human beings.
Romans 12:2 do not become of the world, but be transformed into the renewing of your mind, and what is that's good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.
As sad as I am to say this, because of our lack of not studying God's word,and having a daily personal relationship with him. We aren't able to have his grace in us. Only through God, with our prayers, everything is possible,
luke 1:37.for with God nothing shall be impossible.
We need to forgive and humble our hearts, and love one another. So we can share the gospel, and help each other come to God.
Nora, you wrote:
We don't earn the grace of God by studying the scriptures either. John 5:39 makes the emphasis clear:
It is when we read the Bible to find Jesus and a relationship with him that we come to an appreciation of the grace that saves. Too many of us read the scriptures looking for eternal life as though it was a recipe rather than a relationship.
Wish I could give this a million amen. As much as we preach it it's so hard for us to truly accept and even preach the reality of the free gift of grace. Is as if it's in our blood to work for salvation then there is the careless side that still misses the point of being accountable for this grace so they live presumptuous lives expecting to be ok because grace is free
Is it really true, according to your comment we don't have God's grace because we aren't studying God's word? I thought grace was free
Contemplating on the thoughts expressed in 2 Cor 8:9....
Wow! That Jesus willingly, enthusiastically gave up all that was His in Heaven to come to earth and be treated with the worst that humanity and Satan could throw at someone in order that you and I might have a second chance at eternal, abundant life with Him again. WOW!
And that I have been graced in this way that I might be used of God to grace others too... WOW!
The mind cannot comprehend all that God has given us, but just knowing and acknowledging the awesome gift of His Son is enough. Being a steward of such love and grace should be demonstrated like Paul’s life as expressed in
Acts 20:24 - But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
One thought that came to my mind immediately when I started today's reading was how to literally give back grace. For a set of people (including me) who have been privileged to understand grace we don't readily reciprocate it. Even tho we see this admonition in the golden rule do unto others.
"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," reads Luke 12:48
I see the grace of God has been bestowed upon me unconditionally that even angels desire to look into.
What a difference Christianity could make in this world if all us by the grace bestowed upon us are able to minister to one another in the way Christ has loved us.
Wish I could give this a million amen. As much as we preach it it's so hard for us to truly accept and even preach the reality of the free gift of grace. Is as if it's in our blood to work for salvation then there is the careless side that still misses the point of being accountable for this grace so they live presumptuous lives expecting to be ok because grace is free
Yes all are the benefactor of grace (Matt. 5:45 says he cause the sun to shine on the righteous and the unrighteous) what is the meaning of grace? The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
(1 Pet.4:10) We have received the gift of God’s grace, we are to be “stewards of the manifold of God’s grace “in return. It is given to us as a gift and we need to give back.
There are many simple ways we can give back grace such as ,extending forgiveness to our fellow men when they wrong us. Accept others apology and when warranted always apologize to others gracefully. Also by showing & expressing gratitude for the many little favorites, by being kind & affectionately to others, by showing an interest in others & by not condemning anyone & instead covering others shame when possible.
Let us all be humble & respectful to others & sweeten our words with kindness at all times.
(Colossian 4:6) Let your speech be always with grace and seasoned with salt. Yes Christ gave freely & is still giving us freely so let us all give back! & let it begins with me.
It is said that the Dead Sea takes in but does not let out or give up anything. I guess that's what we would become if we choose not to extent God's goodness and mercies to others, especially those who deserve it the least (by our standard). If we remember that's not how God treat us, then we can't help but be gracious and kind to others. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us, how can we now fail to extent to others some of the benefits we are receiving from God? Christ said "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Everything we have comes from God why should we not want to help others who are less fortunate?. The more we do as Christ did while He was on earth, the more we are becoming like Christ and developing His character. God blesses us so that we can in turn bless others. Whatever act of kindness we do for others whether it is in words, deeds or kind God takes notice.(when it is based on love). In support of the previous comment- A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger. Lets reflect the character of Christ in all that we do and say. That will help to let our light so shine before men so that they can come and glorify our father which is in heaven
Grace is a free gift,there is nothing we have do to earn it, it's ours. We just have to accept it by faith.
"Peter said that as we have received the gift of God’s grace, we are to be “stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10) in return. That is, God has given us gifts; therefore, we need to give back from what we have been given. What we have received, by grace, is not just for pleasing and benefitting ourselves, but for the furtherance of the gospel. Freely we have been given (which is what grace is all about); freely, then, we need to give every way we can."
What precisely is the "grace given us in Jesus Christ" and how does it deal with "sin's doleful impact"? (lesson paragraph 3)
Your question brings to mind this verse: "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me." God's grace is "the power of Christ." Colossians 1 calls it the Mystery of God, Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Interesting that the commentator says that we don't deserve God grace. God said that God Grace is a Gift from him?
Within the context of 1 Pt 4, I find it helpful to think of the "grace of God" (1 Pt 4:10) not as some abstract religious commodity but rather as the actual gift of the Holy Spirit:
1) 1 Pt 4:1: Peter states that Christ's death brings to humanity the possibility of having a mind similar to Christ's that flatly refuses to sin (Heb 4:15; Mt 4:10; Jn 8:46). How does one become, like Christ, a son or offspring of God? Well, carefully read the following texts...Jn 3:3,6; Jn 4:23-24; 1 Thes 4:7-8; 1 Cor 6:19-20. No one has ever given birth to his/herself--our potential of becoming offsprings of God must therefore reside with Him and outside ourselves.
2) 1 Pt 4:2-3: Peter calls readers away from living "in the flesh" and instead "for the will of God". How does one relinquish his/her birth-self and assume a new self? Eph 2:8; Jn 3:3,6
3) 1 Pt 4:5-6: Peter says judgment is accomplished by the Gospel being preached...to the dead no less! What is the Gospel? Simplified, it is the good news that God shared with Abraham (Gal 3:8) of His intent to secure the right, through Christ's sacrifice, to replace humanity's inherited, fallen/dead spirit with the Spirit of God (Gal 3:14; Rm 5:18; Act 10:43,47; 2:17,21; 15:8-9). Take special note that according to Gal 3:14, the "blessing of Abraham" IS THE RECEIVING of "the PROMISE of the SPIRIT through FAITH."
4) 1 Pt 4:8: Peter calls readers to "HAVE FERVENT LOVE for one another" and Scripture leaves no doubt as to how humans come to be in possession of the quality love God finds acceptable (Rm 5:5; Mt 22:37-39). Do take note of the centrality of the Holy Spirit--no Holy Spirit=no love for God, and if according to Jesus that's the "FIRST and GREAT COMMANDMENT", then the "second" is also left in doubt!
5) 1 Pt 4:10: Peter makes an important association between "the manifold grace of God", "good stewards" and their ability to "minister it to one another" which Paul expresses more explicitly in 1 Cor 12:4-7.
God intensely desires to resurrect our dead human spirit and elevate us, here in this life, to a divine experience (Eph 1:2-3; 2 Pt 1:3-4) to accomplish His purpose throughout Earth (Isaiah 43:11-12; Jn 13:34-35).