Christianity Oasis Forum

[saint701]

Hello All,

Something rarely discussed in our day is God's election of our stature in His grace. In the day of Paul he was confronted with some of his flock not understanding the great significance of their place in the election of God's grace to be a part of the Body of Christ Jesus. He elaborated on such in I Corinthians chapter 12 which is posted below. What is important about understanding our place in grace, as Paul has taught us, is that we do not all appear great to others. Some do, however, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, etc., but some of us seem to be rather run of the mill. The point is, run of the mill or not, we are just as important in the body of Christ Jesus as the others named, as we are a part of the body of Christ Jesus. What makes us important is that we are a part of the body of Christ Jesus!

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

King James Version

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Galatians 2

[21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Ephesians 2

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2Pet.3

1. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Years and years ago when I was in my early 20's I read several books by Hal Lindsay. I wanted to be like him. Later, I read books by Pat Robertson. I wanted to be like him. Even later I read books by D.M. Lloyd Jones. I wanted to be like him. But, you know what? Do you know who God elected me to be like? Me. ( I know..it goes without saying that in longsuffering, etc., and in spirit, we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ, and ultimately to His glory). But we each have our own distinct personality given us by God.

Most of my life I really didn't like who I was. But gradually, over the years, I have come to accept that no matter where I go, there I am! What I like about me now, however, didn't come from me. It didn't evolve out of me naturally. Really, such that I like about me now, did not come from me at all, but from Christ Jesus, from the grace God has given me through Him.

I like the fact that now and then I spend good time with our Lord in prayer. I like the fact that now and then I find ways through Christ Jesus to avoid raging conflicts with relatives and friends. I like the fact that now and then I find ways to give up what I want and bend to the needs of others. I like the fact that I really want to go to church each week. I have a whole bunch of cool grace facts about myself now that I like, that I know for a fact didn't come out of me, but of His grace working in me. They came out of Jesus in me! And that is so cool!

So what does our stature in grace have to do with all this?


But by the grace of God I am what I am! But by the grace of God we are what we are! Wherever we are, whoever we are, if we have received the grace of God, let's grow in it. Let's grow in the grace of our Lord! No matter who we are, each time we see The Lord's GRACE LIFE ooze out of us to others, let's rejoice we have His grace, His wonderful gift of life, a life nature, a new nature, a love nature!


Blessings!
Love, In Christ Jesus, Saint701.