“Stewards of Grace”

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  (1 Peter 4:10)

There is an urgency in Peter’s exhortation, because the end is near. (vs.7) In light of this event, he urges the disciples to active service.

First, God calls everyone to get involved. Though these saints are deemed to be of a low state in the world (1 Peter 1:2; 2:11), God elevated them to a special work. Every Christian has a gift. Each disciple has a ministry. By walking in the Spirit, they must reflect the Divine graces of God: faith, hope, and love. All have a gift from God.

Second, there are a variety of gifts. The word "manifold "means variegated or many colored. While there is one body, it has many members. “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?” (1 Corinthians 12:17) So, like our human body, various members of the body of Christ serve in various ways. Every member has an important function. When every member he is focused on mutual help, the body functions to its full capacity.

Third, Peter reminds us that we are stewards of God’s grace. Thus, none of the things over which we have control belong to us, but belong to God. The joy, comfort, hope, and peace of God we're not given for self- absorption, but to lead us to serve others. Divine blessings mean Divine obligations.

Fourth, we are instructed to minister to one another. The local church does not have a single minister, but a plurality of ministers. Everyone has a gift, and everyone has a ministry. It is through mutual service that we can be strengthened in God. 

Surely, if we would more fully appreciate how richly God has blessed us, if we could really grasp the length of eternity, we would be incited to greater diligence as ministers of the manifold grace of God.    

By George Slover                     
 

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