Precious Possession!

When something is given to us, we can then possess it as our own. The possession may even become something cherished. We may also develop a sense of pride in it being ours. However, is it possible to get so caught up in calling the possession our own that we forget from where it came as if we had secured it on our own? Is it possible to RECEIVE something and yet live as if it had been “achieved” instead?

The church at Corinth had a problem with pride which led to divisiveness rather than unity. As they had RECEIVED the gift of salvation in Christ, they were also gifted in knowledge and other spiritual gifts. They began to think too much of what they possessed instead of remembering the source of those things and the intended purpose toward mutual edification within the church.

In an attempt to redirect their focus, Paul asked…
“For who sees anything different in you? WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT YOU DID NOT RECEIVE? If then you received it, WHY DO YOU BOAST AS IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE IT?” ( 1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV)

The New Living Translation clearly reads…
“What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if all you have is from God, WHY BOAST AS THOUGH YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING ON YOUR OWN?” [NLT, © 1997, Tyndale House]

It appears a sense of having “achieved” had replaced the reality of having RECEIVED! Do we ever struggle there? Have we ever boasted with regard to what is ours, having forgotten from Whom it was RECEIVED?

Writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul reminded…
“(8) For BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED through faith. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” ( Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV)

We need to maintain a proper perspective regarding what we have RECEIVED from what we have “achieved”! Paul reminded the church at Ephesus how they had been saved by grace through faith rather than by their own doing and that their works were a natural outgrowth of having been saved. ( Ephesians 2:8-10) Understanding this in our own life we need to be mindful of a continuing walk in those works prepared in advance for us to do. Paul also acknowledged the mercy he had RECEIVED as a testimony of the Lord’s “perfect patience” toward those who would believe in Him for eternal life. ( 1 Timothy 1:12-16) Paul didn’t forget. He knew what He deserved, but gloried in Christ for what he had RECEIVED.

When it comes to our salvation there is no room for boasting in ourselves. We did not “achieve” what we have RECEIVED by grace, and must not forget that. Rather than boasting, “Look what I’ve got”, our attitude should be, “Thanks be to God I have RECEIVED it by His grace and the power of the blood of Jesus and it is assuredly mine in Him.” If we are going to boast, let it be in the Lord ( 1 Corinthians 1:31) and in the cross of Christ ( Galatians 6:14) that has made life possible.

Some might look at Paul’s life and call him a “high achiever.” I think what was key to the effectiveness of Paul’s ministry was his humility in remembering what he had RECEIVED and that God desired others to RECEIVE it as well. He had not “achieved”, but by the grace of God he was what he was, having not RECEIVED it in vain. ( 1 Corinthians 15:10) May we also never lose sight of the fact we have surrendered to Christ to RECEIVE our salvation, not to “achieve” it. Praise God for this precious gift we can call our own.

Have a great day HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE GRACIOUS GIFTS OF GOD!
Carl

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