Topic: Glorious Living by the Grace of God 2 — Friday September 8, 2017.
Text: Ephesians 3:7-8, 1Corinthians 15:9-10a
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; *For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am.
The effect of what Christ has done far outweighs the effect of the fall of man caused by Adam. As a result, it is our responsibility to keep receiving and applying the abundance of God’s grace and God’s gift of righteousness if we want to reign in this glorious life that God has given unto us, Rom.5:17. We receive the abundance of God’s grace and the gift of righteousness by looking unto Jesus (John 1:14&16) and placing our faith in God’s great love for us and what Jesus has accomplished. Apostle Paul’s life is a good example for us of the great effect that understanding and properly responding to the grace of God can have in our lives.
The grace of God is what compelled Apostle Paul to lead a life that honoured God. In 1Corinthians 7:25, he made it clear that he had obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. The grace of God is what made him so eager to work hard, to preach the gospel and to do exploits for God. The grace of God is also what inspired Him to know God more and more. In 1Timothy 1:12-16, Apostle Paul said it was Jesus who enabled him, counted him faithful and placed him in the ministry. He recounted his past as the worst of sinners who had subsequently obtained forgiveness in light of the grace of Christ which was exceeding and abundant towards Him. It was this grace and mercy that propelled him to become a pattern for everyone who would believe on Jesus Christ. Child of God, that same grace of God that made Apostle Paul everything that he was is available to you in Christ. In the same way, it will cause you to become everything that God has destined you to be.
Prayer: I worship you and thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for I know Your abundant grace is empowering me to lead a glorious life.
Bible In A Year Reading Plan: Proverbs 3-5; 2 Corinthians 1
Empowered to do exploit…
CGMI Above Only Daily Devotional, was written by Most Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa, Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, CGMI.
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