We are God’s Agents of Grace & Hope in the World
By Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd, Contributing Writer
I Peter 4:10
As every one hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
The idea of, “grace” is a concept found within all major religions. Christian theologians define God’s grace in a very specific way.
Within this definition – grace is seen as God’s unmerited favor bestowed through the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
“If you love me—feed my sheep” Jesus tells his disciple. God’s beloved children are of utmost importance to God. It is both awe inspiring and humbling to realize the truth –that God gives this honor and privilege to us. Because of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection –every believer has received a gift. Because I Peter 4:10 enjoins us to “minister to one another”, it is not just the pastor and ordained clergy who are called into “ministry”. According to this verse there is a ministry of all believers, further defined as “stewardship”, a word with which most of us are familiar. “Stewards” are those who someone had entrusted to guard and have jurisdiction over something of value in their stead. Stewards are people who have been deemed to be those who can be trusted to be wise, honest and responsible. But more amazing than the fact that God would count us worthy of stewardship – is the fact, of what it is, that we are to be stewards of. The scripture says that we are to be
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stewards of the manifold grace of God! In other words God has seen fit to put us in charge of giving out God’s grace to those with whom we come in contact! Until the death and resurrection of Jesus–this was done by only God. The new relationship created through Jesus death enables us: a. to become “heirs and joint heirs” with Jesus in a relationship with God, b. take hold of God’s grace c. understand the richness and blessing of the unmerited favor of God and d. then freely dispense it –just as we have been so freely gifted with it.
Each of us makes the choice in life to either give people what they deserve—or to be stewards—dispensing the manifold grace of God. God’s characteristically gives a good deal, a second chance –a kindness in response to an evil. God’s character is to give more than what one deserves, gifts that are not deserved or due to us based upon our behavior. This then is grace—giving according to love. And the scriptures say that grace springs forth from God in all directions, looks all kinds of ways, and is given to all kinds of people undeservedly, and at unexpected times. And my brothers and sisters be advised today that if you are a follower of Jesus the Christ –then you have been given the honor of being called into a special kind of spiritual stewardship—for the sake of the kingdom. Realize today that you have so much more than you deserve or recognize. You see, In order to be steward over something it has to be in your possession. You have God’s grace. Can you feel it? Reminding you that no one can judge you but God –who has already judged you and found you “not guilty” for the sake of Jesus Christ. Do you recognize God’s grace? Holding you back from saying and doing things that although true or merited – would not please God’s heart or further the kingdom? Despite all of our shortcomings and the fact that we remain works in progress – we have been given the unspeakable honor to house within our persons –the manifold grace of God! Do you remember it? There consoling you when others judged you? The grace of God –there giving you just what you needed but didn’t have the good sense to want…the grace of God. There when you were not at your best and someone was sent to show you love and patience and concern. The epitome of grace—God sending a just Jesus to die in place of unjust humanity—thereby opening a way for us to reach the one who loves us best. In Christ, God’s grace is the beginning and ending of our lives.
What great joy to know that we leave here today with a clear gift and a clear call, to be the stewards of the manifold grace of God!
Rev Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd
