Grace much Grace

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

It has been said that as a people we are the most unthankful people who ever lived.  That conclusion I’m not sure of, for it seems that mankind has always had a problem of being thankful for all they have been blessed with.  You want to see a difference in your life, in the life of your family, and your church, apply 1st Thessalonians 5:16-22, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

The Scripture informs us about this truth; Jesus Christ is our High Priest and He sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for each of us; Romans 8:24; Hebrews 7:25, and it does not get better than that!  But when God sends a person into your life, who will give thanks for the grace that God has put into your life, what a blessing for both people.  You have heard that prayer changes things, but when you or I see God’s grace in one another and give thanks in prayer, it changes us, gives us a grateful heart. 

Often, someone will say I do not have that specific gift, is that why you do not give?  If you do not have the gift of faith to share, did you get an “out card” telling you not to share with others what Jesus has done for you?  Is this true or not? “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  But, the question must be asked; does Jesus Christ abide in me?  And if Jesus abides, that means lives in you, is He lacking in Spiritual gifts?

“So that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice