Grace—A Personal Life

Grace—A Personal Life

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus . . . .”

The Corinthians had received tremendous grace. They were enriched in all things, in all doctrine and all knowledge. They had not obtained this doctrine and this knowledge by a personal life, but they had received this knowledge as grace through the preaching.

They also possessed all the gifts. Of course these were tremendous riches, even if we think of just one gift—for example, the gift of healing.

One could think that people who were endowed with such gifts would also be spiritual. However, this was not the case. They were carnal and babes in Christ. How, then, did they receive such grace over their lives?

“Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:2.

By faith they had access to the grace in which they stood. We can say that grace is like a “starting capital” we receive in advance, and Paul writes, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 Cor. 6:1. As we can see, a person may have received tremendous grace over his life, and yet have received it in vain. This grace must be translated into a personal life through obedience, and this is the point on which most people fail.

During times of revival we can see how there can be great grace over a district. People hear and believe, and God gives grace—a starting capital—an opportunity for each and every one of them to live a new life. We see how they come with enthusiasm during this time of grace, and we hear them praise God. Everything appears to be so promising, but after a few years only a few faithful ones are left.

This is also true of times of revival for the baptism of the Spirit. There is no lack of gifts during those times. Then there is spirit and life, and one could believe that all these people were spiritual; but after a while it always becomes evident that only a few become spiritual through obedience. They received the Spirit through the preaching of faith—they had access to this tremendous grace—the opportunity to become spiritual. Gal. 3:2-5. Only through obedience is grace translated into a personal life.

This grace to which they had access was glorious, but Paul writes further: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience . . . .” Rom. 5:3.

You cannot receive patience as a blessing, but if you are obedient to the knowledge, tribulations will produce patience. Here we can see the value Paul places on patience. He gloried in tribulations that produced such results.

Only a few experience such results from tribulations. In most people tribulations produce anger, dissatisfaction, and apostasy. Matt. 13:21. All the grace that was over them was in vain, and the glory disappears. Only through obedience is grace translated into a personal life—into the virtues of Christ. This is the fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22. Such people are spiritual and have fellowship with one another.