Our Spiritual Richness

Back about a month or so ago, I looked into Amos 3:3 and our call to walk in agreement one with another. I chose to make my "another" Christ, because I am a Christ-one and all of scripture reveals His revelation and our transformation in GOD's reformation. And then I included much of what Norman Grubbs has to say about this same revelation of GOD's being restored to man......with that thought in mind, now I will look at Ephesian 4:1-6 but before doing that I will call upon Pastor Hoekstra's writing on Grace and our part in the receptivity of GOD's activity in and through Grace.


"The God of All Grace Developing Our Lives"


"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus . . . perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." (1Peter 5:10)


"We have been considering GOD's Grace as "much more" (Romans 5:17, 20), as "exceeding" (2Corinthians 9:14), and as "exceedingly abundant" (1Timothy 1:14). These terms appropriately lead into our present meditation, which looks at "the God of all Grace." The true and living GOD has all kinds and all measures of grace, and He wants to impart this Grace to develop our lives. One purpose of GOD's Grace is to allow us to dwell forever in His glorious abode: "who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus." This is ours through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, our mediator. "He is the Mediator of the new covenant (of Grace), by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant (of Law), that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15). But the promises were given before the Law and are of more importance than the Law, as it was only a tutor until the day of the Lord. For that reason we are under Grace which works by Love and Faith as seen in Jesus. Meanwhile, until He returns for us, He wants to develop our lives spiritually during our pilgrimage here on earth. 

Part of His plan is to perfect our lives. "May the GOD of all Grace . . . perfect . . . you." This speaks of GOD completing what is missing and equipping us for service. "Now may the GOD of peace . . . make you complete in every good work to do His will . . . And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry" (Hebrews 13:20-21 and Ephesians 4:12). Part of His plan is to establish our lives. "May the GOD of all Grace . . . establish . . . you." This has to do with the LORD stabilizing our Christian walk, keeping us steadfastly moving in His direction for our lives. This word was used to describe Jesus' unswerving commitment to head for the cross, resurrection, and ascension that awaited Him outside of Jerusalem. "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go toward Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). Part of His plan is to strengthen our lives. "May the GOD of all Grace . . . strengthen . . . you." Our calling to serve the living GOD requires strength that we do not have in and of ourselves. The LORD wants to teach us to draw upon His mighty power: "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16). Part of His plan is to settle our lives. "May the GOD of all Grace . . . settle . . . you." This involves being increasingly grounded in GOD's ways: "that you, being rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17).


"The Suffering that Prepares Us for Grace"


"But may the God of all grace . . . after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." (1Peter 5:10)


"In our previous meditation, we saw that "the GOD of all Grace" wants to develop our lives spiritually. He wants to use His exceedingly abundant grace to "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle" us. Now, we will examine the useful (though often undesired) suffering that prepares us for this work of Grace. 

Yes, suffering is often the link between the work of GOD and what GOD wants to do in us and the abundant grace that He will use to effect the work: "after you have suffered a while." Even as the perfect, sinless man, the Son of GOD learned valuable lessons through suffering. "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). He experienced the agonies that can be involved in obeying GOD while dwelling in a rebellious, sinful world. He is the full example of godliness, and we are called to follow Him. As two walk in agreement as One. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1Peter 2:21). If we are willing to walk the path of godliness, we will suffer as well. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2Timothy 3:12). Such trials and sufferings are normal and purposeful. "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1Peter :12). Painful trials seem strange, but they routinely come to test and exercise our faith. 

GOD gives Grace to the humble. Trials and suffering humble our hearts and stir us to cry out to the LORD for His necessary Grace. This direct link between suffering and grace can be seen in Paul's most persistent trial of suffering. "Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me . . . Concerning this thing I pleaded with the LORD three times that it might depart from me" (2Corinthians 12:7-8). Paul's difficulty moved him to earnestly plead with the LORD for His intervention. The LORD responded by His Grace. "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me' " (2Corinthians 12:9). Paul did not receive the healing grace that he sought. However, he experienced the sustaining Grace that GOD often chooses to impart in times of suffering. Through His Grace, GOD changed Saul to Paul by changing Paul's heart, not his circumstances."

When we get a hold of this we to will see what Ephesians 4:1-6 states, "I therefore, a prisoner for the LORD, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one LORD, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all."