I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. Romans 12:3 MSG
I do not know any better way our limitation and weaknesses could be best described, outside today's extract. The man speaking here had every reason to hold on to laurels: he was learned, studied under the best, was a Pharisee, a Jew of Jews, in his own words. He was zealous and motivated, even if for the wrong reasons. At a point in time in his life, he realised that all he was and had flowed from God's grace. There is nothing a man can be, have or do outside this grace.
When a man has received and is conscious of grace, he is careful how he lives. When I have received grace, it will reflect in my relationships with other people. I do not beat my chest and think I have arrived; my life must announce the arrival of God's grace anytime I come in contact with any life. My life is first defined by who I know, not what I have or what I can give. When ownership is defined and established, impact will not be a problem.
I love the conclusion of today's extract: my life is defined by God's input, and my life's output is a reflection of God's grace. All I 'do' for God must be defined from his own perspective, not mine. I don't have a life of my own; I'm living the life owned and sustained by Life himself. I'm defined by who God is, not my family lineage, background or inheritance. Do I really see myself this way? His time of favour is here.
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