Grace
I Corinthians 15. This chapter is the most significant chapter of the Bible on resurrection. The first half of the chapter talks about Christ Resurrection [15:1-28]. The last half of the chapter speaks of the Believer's Resurrection [15:29-58]. Embedded in this great chapter is a verse on grace -15:10. Paul says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain;..." Some people have what they call a "life verse", and this would qualify for my "life verse", because I am what I am by the grace of God.
Now let's unpack that in order to see all that is there. First of all, God met Paul's undeserving, unmerited position with His grace. Paul was the Pharisee of Pharisees, but when he was met by the grace of God, he turned from persecutor of the church to the preacher of the church and now occupied the office of an apostle--all by the grace of God!
Then notice those words, "and His grace toward me was not in vain..." God's grace did not turn out to be vain or empty in Paul's life. The word "vain" means "something without content or substance" and can also mean "something without result, effect or purpose." In other words, grace did not produce a fruitless ministry in Paul's life.
It has to be a heartbreaking thing for God to give His grace for nothing. God's grace makes it incumbent upon us to offer back sacrificially great service. Some Christians live their lives "in vain" never lifting a finger for God who died for them. What a tragedy! They live their lives without purpose or meaning, when the very grace of God has given them purpose and meaning if they would just be willing to serve God in whatever capacity He calls them. But the key word there is "willing". Most are willing to do nothing but sit in a pew and do nothing for the One who has done everything for them. This verse may well have been a life verse for Paul. He understood God's grace and never took it for granted. How do I know? Look at 2 Cor.5:15, "and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." What is Paul saying? He is saying, "He died for me, now I'm going to live for Him!" That's my goal; that's my aim; that's my purpose. Is it yours?
Now let's unpack that in order to see all that is there. First of all, God met Paul's undeserving, unmerited position with His grace. Paul was the Pharisee of Pharisees, but when he was met by the grace of God, he turned from persecutor of the church to the preacher of the church and now occupied the office of an apostle--all by the grace of God!
Then notice those words, "and His grace toward me was not in vain..." God's grace did not turn out to be vain or empty in Paul's life. The word "vain" means "something without content or substance" and can also mean "something without result, effect or purpose." In other words, grace did not produce a fruitless ministry in Paul's life.
It has to be a heartbreaking thing for God to give His grace for nothing. God's grace makes it incumbent upon us to offer back sacrificially great service. Some Christians live their lives "in vain" never lifting a finger for God who died for them. What a tragedy! They live their lives without purpose or meaning, when the very grace of God has given them purpose and meaning if they would just be willing to serve God in whatever capacity He calls them. But the key word there is "willing". Most are willing to do nothing but sit in a pew and do nothing for the One who has done everything for them. This verse may well have been a life verse for Paul. He understood God's grace and never took it for granted. How do I know? Look at 2 Cor.5:15, "and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." What is Paul saying? He is saying, "He died for me, now I'm going to live for Him!" That's my goal; that's my aim; that's my purpose. Is it yours?
posted by Royce Hendry at
5:39 AM
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