DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY – WE HAVE IT ALL, TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE. Part 2.

An atheist said, "If there is a God, may he prove himself by striking me dead right now." Nothing happened. "You see, there is not God." Another responded, "You've only proved that He is a gracious God." – Source Unknown.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - 1Cor 1:4-9. ESV

Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, Kaspryzak. They had met one another in school when the armless Mr. Kaspryzak had guided the blind Mr. Overton down a flight of stairs.

This acquaintance ripened into friendship and a beautiful example of interdependence. The blind man carried the books which the armless man read aloud in their common study, and thus the individual deficiency of each was compensated for by the other. After their graduation, they planned to practice law together. - Gary Inrig.

In Part 1, we understood how by God’s grace we have everything we need to live a Godly life, yet in our day-to-day lives we find it so difficult to see it worked out. We are still burdened down with guilt from the past, unforgiveness towards other people, etc; etc; and that makes us say and do things we shouldn’t. How can we really live so that we receive the grace of God?

We realised that the most important thing to understand, in order to live a Godly life, is that in Christ Jesus we have received all we need to live a godly life, and that “God's Grace Is Given To Us In Jesus.” Today we see that because of this grace…

In Him, We (like the Corinthians) Are Enriched In Every Way

In Our Communication
We cannot help but speak, But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." - Acts 4:19-20.

It is as if we were speaking the very words of God… As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies, in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. - 1 Peter 4:10-11.

When God commands us to speak, how dare we hold our tongue? It is by the authority of Christ we speak, and whether it be preaching, or sharing our testimony, it is all to the glory of God! What have we seen and heard in our Christian walk, which we can speak about? And let us use the gift’s that God has given us, that Jesus may be glorified!

The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa -- the city of his birth -- but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay.

The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning. - Bits & Pieces.

We Are Enriched In All Knowledge
Jesus promised knowledge… And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. - Matt. 13:11. The word secrets can be translated ‘Mysteries.’ We know the secrets of the Kingdom, but to the unbeliever they are mysteries.

Knowledge of God's will comes through praying... And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. - Col. 1:9-10.

And to top it all off, we are enriched even in material things… You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. - 2 Cor 9:11.

Paul was not saying that we should desire material prosperity for our own indulgence, but as a means of being generous to those in need. God will bless us abundantly, to abundantly bless others.

The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins.

A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, "Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar's need. Why give him gold?" Alexander responded in royal fashion, "Cooper coins would suit the beggar's need, but gold coins suit Alexander's giving." – Source Unknown.

HALLELUJAH! GOD WILL ENRICH US IN EVERY WAY THAT WE MAY ENRICH OTHERS!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to freely receive your grace, that I may live a Godly life, just as you intended. In the wonderful Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY