SHADES OF GRACE

As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace (I Peter 4:10).

Peter says there are variations of God's grace.  God's grace reminds me of a well-cut diamond with its many different facets, each sparking in a little different way.  All people are blessed with God's grace.  As a result of his creation, and his sustenance of that creation, the sunshine and the rain bless every person!  The beauty of the earth, the sun, moon and stars are witnesses to the wisdom, power and majesty of God.  The one who has created and named a billion trillion stars in the universe*, who knows the number of the hairs on the heads of six billion people is our Father God who graces us with life and breath and everything (Acts 17:25).  These graces are unconditional so that they bless each and every person.

Though the price of salvation has been paid for each person, it is only the one who surrenders to Christ who receives salvation.  The grace that saves is extended to the one who believes, repents and is baptized (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-8).  Though salvation is intended for all, it is only given to those who will receive it.

In the context of I Peter 4:10, Peter is speaking of some of the graces that serve.  It is my personal belief that these graces are given so that God's purposes will be fulfilled.  How will God bel glorified without those who are faithful in prayer, love, hospitality and financial giving?  How will God's purposes be fulfilled without leaders, teachers and preachers who are faithful in the word?  Each one of these graces is a different shade of grace.  God is glorified when one sparkles with the shade of he or she has received!

Grace&Peace,
Tom

*The number of stars some scientist have estimated are in the universe.  The Psalms say that God has named each one.