July 08, 2022 – Friday
1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Comments
Notice what Paul says above and how he says it and it becomes clear it was by the grace of God not some personal decision that Paul’s life was completely transformed and changed. I am sure many of us can related as the grace of God had incredible effects on each and every one of us.
It was by God’s grace Paul became an apostle and he worked harder than all of them to spread the gospel. This was a result of what Paul describes as the grace of God that was with me. It was the grace of God that made it possible for him to do what he did with his missionary travels and to make them effective. He drives that point home in the prior verse when he writes, 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Paul could have made a big deal out of his constant missionary travels which resulted in him covering a wider territory than that of the other apostles. Instead that is likely what his comment I worked harder than all of them refers to. Then to make sure he does not get the credit or to make sure he does not get puffed up, he adds the ability for his efforts was yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Many of us want to take credit and puff ourselves up with what we do or accomplish for God, but we should not do so, and Paul tells us why. Because whatever we achieve for God is a result of the grace of God that is with each of us. Let us do all we can to further God’s kingdom, bringing the good news of Jesus to all that we can. Then let us always remember that the ability to further His kingdom is a result of the grace of God given to each of us.
Bottom Line: We have a responsibility to share the good news because of the grace of God given to us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the grace, the unmerited favor, You have given us. Help us to use it to share the good news of Jesus to those around us. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek