A SERVANT BY GRACE

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Ephesians 3:7-9

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

There are plenty of people serving in the church who think they have somehow gained special status, that through their works, they are super Christians worthy of some elevated esteem and position in the physical church they serve in. They thrive on attention and validation of their dedicated service and the standing this gives them. In its advanced stages, these kinds of servants even view themselves as radically superior to others.

These self glorifying servants would have the Apostle Paul riled up because he certainly didn’t carry himself that way. Rather, as we see in today’s passage from Ephesians, chapter 3, he executed his calling with humility and with full submission to the God who called him. Look again at his testimony here:

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. Ephesians 3:7-9

These amazing words show that Paul fully understood the relationship between those who serve and the God who demands their service. As Jesus taught, the servant is never greater than the Master nor the messenger greater than the One who sent him (John 13:16).

The Lord could do anything without us. There isn’t anything He can’t accomplish while we are incredibly limited in our abilities and let’s not forget our common imperfection in that we are all sinners who fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). This makes it even more remarkable that our Lord would choose to do anything even remotely good through us.

And yet, He does. He meets us in our defective state and does effective things by way of us, not because we have somehow qualified for His duty but rather because He is a God of grace, truly amazing grace. Or as Paul put it, we are servants of the Gospel by way of the gift of God’s grace.

Paul saw himself for who he was, unworthy of God’s favor. Humbly, he proclaimed himself as “less than least of all the Lord’s people”. Not exactly a person who sees himself as self important and worthy of praise and glory.

So what was the gift of grace given by God to Paul?

He tells us.

“...this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.”

Note here how Paul isn’t taking credit for his evangelism. He didn’t conceptualize the Gospel through some superior human intellect and then dazzle people with his theology and charisma, seeking their adoration and accolades. Rather, he only did what he did through the grace that God gave him, the privilege to preach the boundless riches of Christ and reveal the Lord’s salvation plan that had been a mystery hidden in God in ages past but now could be revealed.

Friends, the God who “created all things” wants to partner with anyone who places their faith and trust in His Son Jesus and use them to help others come to eternal life. It’s an association initiated by our Lord who willingly wants to provide His gift of grace to servants see themselves as unworthy of the task at hand but willing and able to carry out their assignment through the power and Spirit of the God they seek to honor and glorify.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com