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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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