But by the grace of God, I am what I am

Have you ever wondered why the apostle Paul, who wrote at least 13 books of the New Testament and lived such an extraordinary life for Jesus Christ, could write these words found in I Corinthians 15:9-10?  “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet (worthy) to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”  It was upon this verse that Pastor Nathan based his message this week, concluding that all that any of us accomplish in this life is by the grace of God.  By His grace, I am what I am.

Many people seek happiness in the things of this world, but we can only be fulfilled and truly happy when we are doing exactly what God called us to do, and everything we accomplish in this life is by God’s grace.  Paul considered  himself the least of all the apostles because before he was converted, he was a murderer.  He persecuted the church, but God miraculously turned his life around.  It is why he could so confidently write those words, “by the grace of God, I am what I am.” 

Paul writes of this grace again in Ephesians 2:4-10 explaining that all of us are saved by grace.  We cannot work our way into Heaven; grace is God’s gift to us.  Once that grace is released into our lives, it continues to work in us to accomplish all that God has called us to do.  Grace is there to help us do what we’ve never done before.  “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Ephesians 2:10 AMPC  We should never be afraid to do what God has called us to do, for we have God’s grace working in us.  (II Timothy 1:9) 

Grace is the power of God in us to do those things which God calls us to do.  Paul wrote, “I labored more abundantly than they all.”  If we stay busy working for God, we won’t have time to criticize, complain, or make excuses.  Jesus needs laborers in His harvest. (Matthew 9:37)  In John 5:17, Jesus said, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”  God gave us a wonderful example of His mighty grace working in His Son.  Jesus was in the ministry for a mere 3 years, and yet He accomplished so much that John wrote these words in John 21:25, “If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.”  

Smith Wigglesworth spoke about the amazing grace of Christ in his ministry.  “I can never estimate what the baptism of the Holy Ghost has been to me these past 15 years. It seems that every year has had three years packed into it, so that I have had 45 years of happy service since 1907.  And it is getting better all the time.”  What a testimony!   In these last days, God is pouring out His Spirit for the Church to accomplish more in less time (Amos 9:13).  Why?  Time is short.  Jesus is coming soon.  The “Church Age” is coming to completion and her rapture is imminent. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  God is giving us a space of grace to do His work, win souls, and bring in the great harvest by the Gospel of the Christ.  Jesus said we must work while it is day.  Once the light (the Church) is raptured out the world and into heaven, the ministry of reconciliation on earth will be over. (John 9:4)  We then will all stand before Christ, give an account for our work, and receive our reward for faithful service. (Matthew 25:21; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15) 

May we learn to rely on God’s grace to accomplish great and mighty things for the Kingdom of God.  Just like Paul, our lives can be changed by God’s grace, (John 14:12) and we can accomplish great  things as God’s power and energy works in us.  (Colossians 1:29 AMP)  Then we will be able to echo those words of Paul and say, by the grace of God, I am what I am.