Grace At Work Within

Hi everyone. As we begin the week let us turn our thoughts again to the book of Galatians to view some more of the beauty of God’s grace.

“But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision” Galatians 2:7-9 KJV

These verses give an indication to the key ingredient of successful ministry-God at work. God was at work in Peter’s ministry and He was at work in Paul’s ministry also. Paul a minister recognized this. He knew it was God at work. He spoke of this great working in some other letters.

Paul probably had a lot he could have depended on for his success-he had a first class Jewish education, studied under one of the most respected Rabbis of his time, came from the purest of lineages and had exhibited remarkable zeal and keenness in his early years in life. But he knew there was something more important than all those. There was something more paramount and of much greater significance that was producing the impact everyone could see. In Paul's words, it was about God's effectual working in his life.

 

It is really so different in our times. People depend on their oratory, voice inflections, theatrical displays, gimmicks, clever inventions and sharp business practices to make headway in the ministry of our great Lord and Savior. We must return to the “ancient paths” of depending on the working of God which as Apostle Paul described in another verse as “working mightily”¹. Enough of dependence on human fabrications! We neglect God and madly rush after things that deceive us with an external garb of outstanding success.

Personally as a preacher, I certainly would like to improve my preaching. In fact, I am constantly learning to be a better preacher but above that, I recognize that God's grace is working within me. God is at work in this ministry. I might not have the power of oratory that other people may have but God is able in His grace to reach and touch people by His power and not my own ability. Would every minister, preacher, deacon, bishop, primate, evangelist, teacher, reverend, prophet realize this important principle? It is God at work and not man. That is the heart of the matter.

The application of this principle is not limited only to ordained ministers of the gospel. There is an inner working of the power of God in every of His children. In 1^st Corinthians 15: 10, Paul describes that dynamic inner working as grace. So you see grace isn’t just about how God has freed us from our past as we had seen earlier in the series but also about God’s empowerment for life. There is a dynamic inner working of God's grace in every believer empowering us for the tasks He has called us to accomplish. Look within folks. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels…”², “…for God is at work in you…”³ His grace is at work within us and we need to learn to depend on this. 

I will end at this point and we’ll continue next week to view more snapshots of God’s overwhelming grace.

Notes

1. Colossians 1:29

2. 2nd Corinthians 4:7

3. Philippians 2:13 

Michael W Smith "Grace"