Minister According to Grace
Posted by Pastor Pat on December 11, 2008
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.” Romans 12:3-6
I have always found our text fascinating as it relates to grace, ministry and God. As recipients of grace several truths emerge from the text. First, grace is something given. Because it is a gift we have no right to think of ourselves better than anyone else. We did not deserve it. We could not merit it. In fact our depravity made it such that we did not seek it, understand it, or want it (Romans 3:10ff). The idea behind, “to think more highly of himself,” is “to be arrogant, haughty, egotistical, and bigheaded.” The synonyms show us the ugliness that our attitude can take toward others. The second truth emerging from the text is that each of us has a different measure of faith/grace. Whatever grace we have is through divine allotment. This really shows us the foolishness of comparison. Paul said, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10). It is equally foolish for us to wish to be something we’re not. You and I are special by design (Psalm 139). Third, God has placed each of us in the body of Christ, His Church, intentionally, purposefully and thoughtfully. First Corinthians 7:17 says, “The Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk” speaks of this divine allotment. This same truth is brought out in 1 Corinthians 12:11 concerning our placement in His body, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” I cannot be what others are and that is not God’s intent. I can only be what I am by His grace. I find the imagery breath-taking. God has crafted me for His use within His body for His glory. Each of us has a role, a function, a ministry and God is working in us and through us to those around us.
As I prepared these thoughts I was reminded of the various branches of our military. We have those within the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Within each of the major branches there are various subsets such as Navy Seals or the Green Berets. There are those within these various branches who take great “pride” in what they do and the service they render. At times there can be “friendly” competition between the various branches, yet when a singular enemy threatens the common good of this great nation all differences are set aside and regardless as to personal preferences or “unique” idiosyncrasies there is a common enemy who will “feel” the strength of this great nation. When war breaks out no one cares which branch you’re from only that you’re fighting the same enemy.
I could not help but draw the parallel with our Lord’s Church. We have various label wearers within our church family. Theologically some would call themselves one thing and others another and at times there is “friendly” discussion between the various label wearers, yet there is a common cause that draws us together to fight against the relentless enemies of our collective souls. We must never allow ourselves to forget that we are in a war. It is when we forget this that we become preoccupied by our differences instead of being consumed by what binds us together. His cause is too great and the time too short for us to lose sight of His mission in time and for eternity. He is gathering together in time an innumerable host of worshippers who shall come from every tribe, tongue, people and nation and we will join this host in worshipping Him forever. And when all of the dust settles and we sit together worshipping our Lord I will care not a wit whether you were this or that, but only that we were at WBC a Christ-exalting, Word-centered, Global-impacting, Grace-based ministry. As always, “Grace to you and Peace.”
By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths. For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.
