God's grace in Action

 Read Ephesians 3.

This is one of the letters Paul wrote while in prison.  Rightly so, the people were gravely concerned for him and his health.  "So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is for your glory." (v.13)

How can a man who is confined in prison and apparently limited in resources write such strong words of doctrinal truth?  How can a hurting man seemingly dismiss his suffering and be encouraging to others?  The simple answer is here in this chapter as Paul explains the effects of God's grace.

Again, in Greek the word grace (charis) refers to "the divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life."  In other words, God does a work within a person and that work becomes outwardly apparent.  This is beyond personalities and natural abilities.  It is a spiritual result that causes us to act and respond differently than those who do not know Jesus.  The word grace appears twelve times in these six chapters.  In chapter two, Paul explained that salvation is by God's grace.  Here, in chapter three, he began to expand upon the impact of grace.

1. The stewardship of God's grace. (vv.1-6)
Stewardship is a trust.  Whether the object is money, time, talent, life, children, opportunity, property, etc., it does not belong to the person.  The owner allows a steward to manage it for a time.  At the end of that time, there will be accountability for what was entrusted.  Specifically, Paul acknowledged that the Holy Spirit had revealed insights "into the mystery of Christ".    That mystery, or previously unexplained truth, had to do with how the Gentiles fit into God's plans and promises.  It was the Holy Spirit's work of revelation, not as a result of his intellect and education.  It had been given to him "for you" (v.2).

As Creator, God is the Owner of all things (Psalm 24:1).  What He has entrusted to us is not for us.  It is to be used for the benefit of others.  When we respond to God's grace by renouncing selfish goals for passing on that grace to others, God is glorified.  And, that is the ultimate aim of life.  Soli Deo gloria.

2. The gift of God's grace. (v.7)
Every believer has been gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve Him effectively.  We do not all have the same spiritual giftedness.  These are differently distributed by the will of God.  See Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4, and Ephesians 4.  The gifts, as explained above, are stewardships given to us for the spiritual benefit of others.

3. The administration of God's grace. (vv.8-21)   
For Paul, the assignment was to preach the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection) of Jesus.  Faith in that message changed the lives and the eternal destinies of those who responded in faith to God's grace (2:8).  Each follower of Christ must discover how God has gifted them and to use that gift for the spiritual growth of other people.

It is a staggering thought that the God of heaven desires to use us!  But the impact and influence of our obedience to God's grace is beyond our comprehension.  "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."