The Purpose of Grace

Part 2

(See The Purpose of Grace)
(See the Purpose of Grace Part 3)
(See The Purpose of Grace Part 4)

“Whereof I was made a minister,
according to the gift of the grace of God given
unto me by the effectual working of his power.”
Ephesians 3:7

God gives grace with intention and purpose. Grace given corresponds to the evidential working of His power within the life of the one to whom it is given. Paul states here “whereof I was MADE a minister (a definite expression of God) according (in proportion) to the GIFT” given. This then is the revelation of His Grace received. It is to this end that we are recipients of the unmerited Grace of God: that such a precious commodity will show forth the effect of his power in our lives. Grace given does not always result in its desired end, which is why diligence, faithfulness and the fear of the Lord are the healthy responses to the giver of all good things.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am:
and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;
but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I,
but the grace of God which was with me”
1Corinthians 15:10

The “laboring more abundantly” is the fruit of true grace received. Grace always desires to glorify and honor the ONE from whom it comes. From Genesis to Revelation we see the effectual working in the lives of those to whom God invested His Grace.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”
Genesis 6:8

The Prophets in the Old Testament prophesied of this Grace that should come…

“Of which salvation the prophets
have inquired and searched diligently,
who prophesied of the grace
that should come unto you”
1Peter 1:10

The power of this New Covenant declares that this GRACE has come unto His Own in the ministration and life of the Son. Shall we not yield ourselves fully to the working out of this grace in each of our hearts? Let us embrace the “laboring” of love in our hearts in response to such beauty and unmerited favor.

We must consider that Jesus Christ left the splendor of Heaven, laid aside His equality with God and humbled Himself as a servant, even to the scandal and humiliation of the cross. How did this wonder occur? BY GRACE…

“But we see Jesus,
who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death,
crowned with glory and honour;
that he by the grace of God
should taste death for every man”
Hebrews 2:9

The very Son of God came into this dark world divesting Himself of all deity to do the Will of the Father by Grace. Shall not we, who are the true heirs of “so great a salvation”, fully yield ourselves to the deposit of Grace given to each of us?

“But unto EVERY ONE of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ”
Ephesians 4:7

May His Church rise up in the acknowledging of this powerful and precious truth!

Brian Troxel
www.aword.info