BIBLICAL GRACE

Lesson 2

Multifaceted Grace

Like God Himself, the grace of God has many facets. We must study these to make full use of God’s grace in our life.

GRACE AS A SPECIAL ABILITY

Often in the Bible grace is used to describe an ability one has been given in the Body of Christ to advance and further the Kingdom of God in the earth. These endowments of grace are called gifts, or as the original Greek (chárisma) calls them a gift of divine grace, or grace deposit.

• For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office (job): . . . Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  – Romans 12:4, 6-8

This is a limited list of different “grace jobs” in the Body of Christ. However, we are all called to do all of them, but each of us will excel at one of these more than the others. That is because we have received a special deposit of grace in that area. This is what is meant by “grace gift.”

• Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift (chárisma), even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold (multifaceted) grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  – 1 Peter 4:9-11

Here are a few more grace jobs listed. The grace of God is described here as being manifold, or multifaceted. That lets us know that there are more jobs in the Kingdom than just hospitality, speaking, ministering, prophesying, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, and showing mercy.

Each member of the Body of Christ has a different grace given unto them based upon what God has called them to do and to be in His Body. For this reason, we are not to compare ourselves among ourselves (2 Corinthians 10:12).

PAUL’S GRACE VS. PETER’S GRACE

• But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.  – Galatians 2:7-9

Here, Paul’s grace and Peter’s grace were different. Paul was called to the Gentiles. Peter was called to the Jews. According to natural wisdom, these callings are seemingly reversed—Paul was the trained Pharisee and Peter was the ignorant fisherman. They had different techniques in evangelism, but they were doing the same job. (See also Ephesians 3:1-8.)

THE MACEDONIAN GRACE

• Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  – 2 Corinthians 8:1

The Macedonian grace was their ability to give offerings and financially support the Gospel. Paul bragged on them for this grace. This is what they were and are still known for: grace to give.

TITUS’ GRACE

• Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.  – 2 Corinthians 8:6-7

Apparently, Titus had the grace of liberal giving working in his life and he had ministered in Corinth to impart this. With the Macedonians being such eager givers, Paul desired for Titus to return to Corinth to finish teaching the Corinthians this grace. Paul bragged on Corinth for abounding in the grace of faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, and love; but they also needed liberality working in their life.

GRACE FOR CONTENTMENT

• And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient (contentment) for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  – 2 Corinthians 12:9

In this famous passage of scripture, Paul is describing a demonic attack he was under for having great revelation and for being used so mightily of God. He wanted this attack to go away. He asked and asked that the demon might depart from him, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you. It will make you content while you are going through this.” Grace equips you to endure anything. Grace empowers and activates long-suffering in your life.

THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

• For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.  – 2 Corinthians 8:9

The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ allowed Him to take on the form of a servant and become obedient unto death. This grace will teach us and equip us to be servants and it will enable us to become obedient and learn to lay down our lives for one another. We must grow in this grace (2 Peter 3:18).

God’s grace is given to equip us for the task at hand. May we each endeavor to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus our LORD. Amen!