A Steward of the Manifold Grace of God

The Corinthians had some question about spiritual gifts and Paul took time in his letter to respond. He first reminded them that before becoming Christians, they were “carried away unto… dumb idols, even as ye were led” (I Corinthians 12:2). Simply speaking, they knew not Christ. But the new birth changes their relationship to God through their faith in the Lord Jesus. Paul writes “Wherefore, I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (I Corinthians 12:3). To call Jesus Lord is to acknowledge that he is God come in the flesh. This is the personal testimony of anyone and everyone that calls himself or herself a Christian.

Paul prefaced his instruction on spiritual gifts by identifying those included in his remarks. Only those who are indwelled by the Spirit of God have spiritual gifts and these ones are known by their personal testimony of Jesus Christ. By implication, every believer has at least one spiritual gift. This is confirmed expressly in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, “But unto every one of us is given grace (spiritual gift) according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).

Paul then writes concerning spiritual gifts that there are different gifts though granted by the same Spirit; these gifts differ in their administration but are all under the authority of one Lord; and these gifts result in varying operations but all receive their power from the same God (I Corinthians 12:4-6).

 The purpose of these gifts is clearly stated in I Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” The “manifestation of the Spirit” (spiritual gift) is to be used by its recipient to the benefit of all other believers, i.e. the church!

All of this ties to together very neatly. It was necessary to point out that only believers in Christ had spiritual gifts. These gifts are to be used for the benefit of the body of Christ. The exercise of spiritual gifts was so vitally important to God that every member of the Trinity was involved.

Now for the application – are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, then you have, on the authority of Scripture, at least one spiritual gift. Do you know what it is? Are you using it for Christ in his church to the benefit of other believers? Peter gives us this insightful command, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10). Are you being a faithful steward?

A Soldier’s Life for Me

As he closed out his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13). Every exhortation in this brief series of commands is comprised of language with a military origin. Paul frequently used such language because it was readily understandable given the pervasive presence of soldiers throughout the Roman empire.

Just as soldiers kept watch throughout the night, believers are challenged to likewise have a keen attentiveness to their circumstances and surroundings. Convinced of the truth and committed to following it, we watch tirelessly for the encroachment of falsehood and evil wherever they might occur. We dare not let down our guard for our “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). While his mindset is that of a roaring lion, the Scriptures admonish us that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). The deceptiveness of falsehood demands a vigilant scrutiny of the events and circumstances of our times. Someone has wisely said that rat poison is 99% pure corn. Therefore, we must watch!

We are not to yield territory to the enemy, but rather are commanded to stand fast in the faith. As soldiers are commanded to hold their position in the face of the enemy, so Paul admonishes believers to do likewise. Peter used this same militaristic language, exhorting believers concerning Satan, to “resist steadfast in the faith” (I Peter 5:9). The enemy will indeed attack for truth is not a popular commodity. But we are to resist falsehood and hold fast to the truth. Christ promised his disciples that when it came to building the church even “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

Tireless watching and unflinching resistance against an unrelenting enemy requires great courage. So the Spirit of God urges us to be brave. The phrase “quit you like men” is a literal translation of the ancient Greek language and is mindful of soldiers engaged in the battle. We are to be brave, courageous, not overcome by fear though fear may be all around us. The Christian life is not for the faint-hearted.

Finally, we are to be strong. We are to be given to the fight and move to where the battle is the hottest. Serving the Lord Jesus Christ will bring us to many encounters with falsehood. We are to be valiant for the truth and engage the enemy. There is no retreat in the Christian life.

God calls upon his children to watch, stand fast, be courageous and strong as good soldiers of the cross. It is interesting that he immediately follows that instruction with “Let all your things be done with charity [love]” (I Corinthians 16:14). What a seemingly paradoxical set of commands. The Christian life is a soldier-like commitment to truth tied to the operation of love in all things. Does that describe you?

The Gadarene Demoniac

In Mark 5:1-20, the gospel writer records for us Christ’s encounter with “a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:2-5). The magnitude of this man’s evil predicament is that a multitude of demonic spirits had taken residence in him. We know this because when Christ had commanded the evil spirit to come out, he answered “My name is Legion: for we are many” (Mark 5:9).

The fact that a multitude of demons possessed this poor man was inconsequential to the Lord. They knew who Christ was and submitted immediately to his authority. “And all the devils besought him [Christ], saying, send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea…and were choked in the sea” (Mark 5:12-13).

Those in the region having heard the news of the swine came out to see what had become of the man. They found “him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind” (Mark 5:15). After his great deliverance, the man sought to go with Christ back across the sea to Galilee. But the Lord gave him this command. “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19).

There are two important points for believers to take away from this record when it comes to our witness for Christ. The first is the sphere of our witness. We are to “go home to thy friends.” Our primary sphere of intended witness is right where we live day to day and among those whom we know and see most frequently. Each one of us has a unique sphere of encounter and influence. God intends for us to “bloom” where he has planted us and “brighten the corner where we are.”

The second point is the content of our witness. We are not required to give some deep theological testimony of Christ’s great salvation. Rather, we are to “tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Note the words “for thee” and “on thee.” We are to tell what Christ has done for us! Yes, we declare that he can save. But, more importantly, he saved me. He died for me. He forgave my sins. Consequently, he can do the same for those to whom we testify.

Do you struggle with telling others about Christ? Begin by telling them what he has done for you. God will use every earnest testimony from a grateful child for his glory.

Lovest Thou Me?

Those who are familiar with the account of our Lord’s passion are mindful that Peter denied the Lord three times the night our Lord was betrayed. Christ had foretold Peter that he would indeed “be offended because of me” though Peter denied it (Matthew 26:33-35). When it came to pass, Peter “wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).

Later, when Jesus had arisen from the dead, he appeared to his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. They had returned to fishing and were out all night, yet had caught nothing. Christ changed their empty effort to full success with his word. As they brought their catch to the shore, the Lord greeted them with a meal of fish and bread over a fire of coals. There he lovingly confronted Peter in the matter of his previous denial before the servants of the High Priest.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, Peter had declared boldly “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended” (Matthew 26:33). That night he denied knowing the Lord three times. He had declared a love and loyalty to Christ that would exceed that of all others. Our Lord on the seashore now lovingly restores Peter at the very point of his failure. He asks Peter “Lovest thou me more than these [the other disciples]?” (John 21:16). Though Peter affirms his love to him, Christ repeats the question three times to fully address his three denials.

In Christ’s second and third questions, he merely asks “Lovest thou me?” To each of Peter’s affirmations, the Lord responds “Feed my sheep” or “Feed my lambs”. The true test of love for Christ is faithful service to him. Though Peter had denied his Lord three times, the Lord lovingly restored him to a place of service and did so before his brethren. Our God is faithful to forgive and to restore.

It is interesting to note that Peter had denied the Lord out of fear for his own life, possibly crucifixion, since this was the desire of the High Priests for our Lord. The Lord on the seashore after restoring Peter tells him that he shall indeed die from crucifixion (John 21:18-19). History teaches us that Peter did suffer martyrdom by crucifixion. However, he was crucified upside down at his request for he was not worthy to suffer it in the manner of his Lord.

Love for Christ compels us to serve him. True disciples of Christ will falter often for we are but sinful creatures saved by grace. Yet our Lord’s faithfulness to forgive invites us to seek his cleansing. His love is unfailing and rejoicing in his love we are constrained to serve him more. Paul wrote of this love to the church at Corinth. “The love of Christ constraineth us…that they which live should not live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). What Jesus asked of Peter he asks of you and I. “Lovest thou me?”

Drawn Away

We all know and understand what it means to be tempted.  It is after all a universal phenomenon.  What is just as universal is that we have all yielded to temptation.  Thankfully, to be tempted is not a sin; however, yielding to temptation is.  In the New Testament James offers some inspired insight into this experience that comes into all of our lives that we would do well to heed.  First, he tells us “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempted he any man” (James 1:13).  This verse tells us two truths about God.

First, God cannot be tempted with evil.  That is, it is impossible for God to yield to something that it is impossible for Him to do – sin.  Recall the temptation of Christ by Satan.  Three times the Lord was tempted of the Devil and in every instance he did not yield.  Second, God does not tempt man to do evil.  When we are drawn to do something that we ought not do, rest assured that God is not the one doing the drawing.  God has no delight in our yielding to sin.  Sin is an affront to his holy character!  These truths seem obvious and we often take them for granted.  But we would do well to remind ourselves of the goodness of God and his holy nature.

James goes on to say “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).  It is our very own desires that do the drawing, i.e. lead us into temptation.  We might think it is because we hear, we see, we smell, or we taste something; our senses are stirred; and then our desire pursues willingly.  Make no mistake about it, the fault is in our own self.  That is why James then admonishes his audience with “Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:16).    

Our passions are many and diverse, but they have one thing in common.  They seek satisfaction.  James uses the word “enticed”.  These unsatisfied desires draw us into temptation and give birth to sin.  For example, our desire to be recognized and praised gives rise to jealousy and envy when we see one of our fellow workmates or students recognized and extolled for work well done.  James calls this outcome sin.

James sets forth one very significant truth in his treatment of the matter of temptation.  He reminds us that the inevitable outcome of sin is and can only be death.  Sin destroys all that it touches.  You might be thinking, I’ve yielded to temptation before and I’m still alive.  Again, in the words of James, “Do not err”.  In the end, apart from the grace of God in Christ Jesus, sin wins.  Need convincing?  Look at the cemeteries around us.  They are full and continue to fill.

There is hope nonetheless.  Jesus died and was raised again that we might have victory over sin and death.  Jesus said “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25).  Victim or victor – the choice is yours.

The Wisdom of God and the Wisdom of the World

Man cannot find out God by his own wisdom.  In fact, God has decreed it so for he tells us that “in the wisdom of God the world by (its) wisdom knew not God” (I Corinthians 1:21).  It could not be any other way for how could the eternal God, infinite in wisdom and understanding, somehow be discovered and known by the “wisdom” of finite, sinful man.  After all, the LORD through his prophet Isaiah tells us “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). It is clear that if this God is to be known in any way by his creation then he must condescend to make himself known.  Praise God, this he has done in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ, and his gospel. 

This gospel, i.e. that “Christ died for ours sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4) was not well received. The preaching of this gospel was “to the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness” (I Corinthians 1:24).  The Jews stumbled over it because the Messiah they looked for would come to reign and deliver them from Rome; the Greeks found it foolishness because they could not see any of the gods whom they served coming to die for them.

But “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (the gospel) to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:21).  The wisdom of God is bound up in the person of his Son. To know the Son is to know the Father. Christ declared as much to Thomas just prior to his crucifixion – “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9).  For “no man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). Again, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that “God…hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).  God has indeed revealed himself in the person of his Son. 

We’ve seen that man cannot know God by his own wisdom.  It is impossible for a blind man to speak of light.  He simply does not and cannot know.  We’ve also seen that God in love for his fallen creation has revealed himself to man by his Son. He became a son of man that man might become a son of God.  This message, foolishness to the Jews and Greeks, is received by faith.  We find out God not by our own wisdom, but by his revelation.  “He that believeth not God hath made him a liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (I John5:10-11).

Let Us Do Good!

The Apostle Paul taught the believers in Galatia that they had been delivered from self-love by the gospel of God’s grace so that they might love others. He wrote unto them “For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another”. He went on to say that “all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Galatians 5:13-14; emphasis added). In essence, what the law could not do, the gospel of Jesus Christ accomplished.

Putting others first is foreign to our nature apart from the grace of God. We are selfish by nature and, consequently, preoccupied with our own needs, desires, and agenda. The grace of God enables us to see others as God would have us to see them. In light of this, Paul exhorted the believers to “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Life is hard and we need not look far to encounter someone laboring under some difficulty. God would have us do what we can to ease that burden. Sooner or later we shall find ourselves under one kind of burden or another. It is little wonder that Christ taught “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

What is known as the “law of the harvest” is embedded in this teaching and, as Paul taught, always comes to pass. He stated it clearly, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). This principle is unwavering and sure. The Lord Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Later, in that same sermon, Christ challenged his disciples to do good even to “your enemies” because our heavenly Father is “kind to the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36). From God’s perspective, not one of us deserves mercy for there is “none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). When we do good unto others we are showing mercy to them as the Lord has shown mercy to us. This mercy shall surely return unto us.

The certainty of harvest is the reason Paul encouraged his audience to “not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10; emphasis added). The gospel of Jesus Christ has delivered us from not just the penalty of our sin, but the power of our sin. We are free to serve both God and man. Answer this, do you see others first before yourself? Let us do good!

Faith Without Works

Christians believe that we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  This simple truth differentiates Christianity from all other religions.  All other religions ultimately require something or rather some work on the part of their practitioner.  That is, those religions require you to do something to earn eternal life.  Not so with Christianity.  In fact, Christ himself taught “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).  We come to Christ empty handed and receive of his grace eternal life and the forgiveness of sins.  But that does not mean that a Christian’s life is not characterized by good works.

This matter of doing good works was a critical issue for James, the Lord’s half-brother.  It burdened him to observe those who claimed to follow Christ, but their lives were empty of works that gave credence to their new life. He asked “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?  Can (that) faith save him?” (James 2:14) He used the illustration of someone happening upon a beggar “naked and destitute of daily food.” This one says to the beggar “be ye warmed and filled” but does not “give them those things which are needful to the body” (James 1:15-16).  James makes the cogent point that the words were not profit to the beggar and “so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone” (James 2:17).

James points out even more the unprofitability of words (“faith”) without works.  He teaches us that even the devils believe in God, but they “also believe and tremble” (James 2:19; emphasis added).  As the old saying goes, “talk is cheap.”  So James concludes that faith without works is dead.  You see, faith is more than just an intelligent mental assent to the truth.  Faith involves the whole being and results in a changed life.

James offered up Abraham as an example of this kind of faith.  He tells us how Abraham was “justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar” (James 2:21).  He had a faith that was more in substance than “depart and be filled” as we noted above.  So James leads us to understand that faith is perfected by works and leaves us with this penetrating thought.  “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).

Our law enforcement officers are called upon every time they put on the uniform to “walk the talk.”  So it is likewise with every person who names the name of Christ.  Believers are to walk the talk.  Noble words and   empty lives do nothing for the cause of Christ.   May our lives and lips match in a way that honors our heavenly Father.

The Comfort of Truth

The soul frets in the absence of truth. We have all been battered by the fears and doubts that roam freely in the corridors of our minds when truth does not stand guard. The Apostle Paul knew full well the importance of truth governing our mind’s interpretation of the events of our lives. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote “Whatsoever things are true…think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). We are instructed to let our minds be governed by truth.

An issue that Paul addressed in Thessalonica provides an illustration of truth defusing fears and doubts. The believers there were concerned about what would happen to loved ones who had died before Christ returned. Paul wrote “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (I Thessalonians 4:13). Their ignorance gave rise to an unwarranted sorrow.

But Paul gave them the truth. Again, he writes “if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:14-17). All those who believe in Christ will meet the Lord together in the air when he returns, whether we are alive at his coming or whether we “sleep in Jesus”. We shall meet him together for the “dead in Christ” shall rise first and we shall be snatched away together. In light of this promise, Paul exhorted them to “comfort one another with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:18).

Truth conquers fear and doubt and God’s word alone is truth. We should fill our minds with truth and rehearse it to ourselves with habitual regularity. Our society is dominated by falsehood and we can easily be swept away with its proclamations and practices if we do not guard our minds. The Apostle Peter wrote to his audience “gird up the loins of your mind” (I Peter 1:13). We must be anchored in the truth or we shall drift away with the tide of falsehood.

As believers in Christ and children of God, we are not overcome by the growing darkness of our present time. Satan, the father of lies, would fill our minds with the present distress. But God is greater and His truth stands. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 14:27 and 16:33). This is truth!

Rich Toward God

As James begins to draw his epistle to a close, he takes a moment to admonish those that were rich.  “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you” (James 5:1).  The Scriptures never condemn riches or being rich.  They do, however, readily condemn wrong attitudes toward wealth that ultimately affect both how wealth is acquired and used.  James is consistent with the rest of the testimony of Scripture.

He first rebukes these rich men for hoarding wealth for wealth’s sake, i.e. under-employed wealth.  He tells them their “riches are corrupted” and that their “gold and silver is cankered”.  Their hoarded wealth has been “heaped…together for the last days” (James 5:2-3). The Scriptures teach plainly that wealth is a means to an end and not an end in itself.  For the believer wealth is a test of spiritual responsibility.  In his parable about the unjust steward, Christ concluded with this maxim.  “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches” (Luke 16:10-11).

James makes two more points about these rich men that merit our consideration.  The first has to do with how they came about their wealth.  They made their fortunes through unjust business dealings by taking advantage of others. “Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth” (James 5:4). To grow my wealth by exploiting others and taking advantage of them is against the fundamental teaching of Scripture.  Paul writing to the Christians in Rome commanded “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  Love worketh no ill to his neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:8,10).

Of the second point, James rebukes these ones for their self-indulgent use of their wealth.  “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter” (James 5:5). To be blessed with an abundance of this world’s goods is never a license to indulge the appetites of the flesh in any fashion.  Perhaps, Christ taught this lesson best in his teaching about the rich man and his barns. “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, this will I do. I will pull down my barns, and build greater and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years.  Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:16-19). He lived for himself; he lived for today with no thought of the future.  “But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 16:20-21).