PEOPLE GRACE

God often uses angels to minister to people. But mostly, he uses his own caring people to dispense his grace. This is one reason we’re made partakers of his grace: to become channels of it. We are meant to dispense it to others. I call this “people grace.”

“Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7). Because of the comfort we’re given through God’s grace, it is impossible for any of us to continue grieving our whole lifetime. At some point, we are being healed by the Lord and we begin to build up a reservoir of God’s grace.

I believe this is what Paul meant when he wrote, “I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me…that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:7-8). “Ye all are partakers of my grace” (Philippians 1:7). The apostle is making a profound statement. He’s saying, “When I go to God’s throne to obtain grace, it is for your sake. I want to be a merciful shepherd to you, not a judgmental one. I want to be able to dispense grace to you in your time of need.” God’s grace made Paul a compassionate shepherd, able to weep with those who grieved.

Peter writes, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). What does it mean to be a good steward, or dispenser, of God’s manifold grace? Am I such a person? Or do I spend my time praying only for my own pain, grief and struggles?

Beloved, our present sufferings are producing something precious in our lives. They are forming in us a cry for the gift of mercy and grace, to offer to others who are hurting. Our sufferings make us want to be grace givers.