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Dear "Favorites" of God,
Certain biblical principles can seem a bit abstract.
Scriptural concepts that we know are the truth can still seem somewhat
intangible, lofty or hard to bring into active application. Since
we know that God intended His Word to greatly affect what we think,
say and do, we strive to understand, not only the doctrine, but
the practice of the Christian lifestyle.
For example, grasping the practical nature of grace
(Greek, charts) can be elusive. Since the apostle Paul identified
our era since Pentecost as the "administration of the grace
of God" (Ephesians 3:2), I've tried to better understand how
to actually live in God's grace.
I Peter 4:10 (NIV) Each one should
use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God's grace in its various forms.
I Peter 4:10 (AMP) As each of you has received a gift (a
particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ
it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided
grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers
and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].
God's grace is mutti-faceted,
like a precious gem. The truths of God's Word can be deep, yet simple;
complex, yet uncomplicated; multi-faceted, yet not confusing. The
young believer can grasp it; yet the mature saint always has more
to discover. In an effort to investigate the heart of grace, I've
noticed that the Greek word family from which charts ("grace")
is derived, also includes:
- chairo ("to rejoice")
- charizomai ("to freely
give" or "forgive")
- charisma
("gift")
- eucharistos ("thankful")
As we study this word family,
we see a clear sense of giving in each idea: joy-giving, forgiving
(or free-giving), gift-giving and thanksgiving (especially on people's
minds this month!). Grace itself is the undeserved, unmerited "favor-giving"
of one party to the other. In the case of God's grace to man, He constantly
desires to grace us, to favor us, to "gift" us with blessings,
abundance, healing, and deliverance. Therefore to tangibly, practically,
literally and realistically live in God's grace,
let's ask ourselves...
- Am I expecting God to shower His favors
upon me?
- Am I expressing joy, rejoicing
and gladness?
- Am I inclined to freely
give to others?
- Do I easily forgive
others (and myself)?
- Do I make the most of God's gifts
to me (new birth, gift ministries, healings, etc.)?
- Do my thoughts, words and actions express
thankfulness?
These ideas can begin to practically define
why God labeled our great period between Pentecost and the return
of Jesus Christ as "the administration of the Grace of God."
It's a special time of His favoring His people and of our walking
in a multi-faceted life of giving, in order to mimic His graceful
character. Our Father wants to treat each of His children as His"favor-ites"!
He has "done us a favor," eternally and permanently! Let's
especially remember this month that thanksgiving
is one of the great keys to actually living what God intended for
a grace-ful lifestyle! How it must bless our Father for us to actually
live in His grace!
Thankful for His favor,
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