1 Corinthians 15:10

(KJV)

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 laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

(NLT)

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me–and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I, but God who was working through me by his grace.

The first part of the scripture says:

****But by the grace of God I am what I am:

What Paul is saying is:

• Not by works
• Nor on account of faith
• Not on account of any holiness Paul
• But only by God’s grace!

It comes from being a believer in Christ through faith, as a gift of God’s grace.

• So he was what he was — as a minister of the Gospel, as an Apostle, in that high office — purely by the grace of God.
• He was not made who he was by men, nor by his education or learning, nor through any merits of his own, but by the free favour and sovereign will of God, bestowing on him gifts and grace.
• By which he was then qualified to be AN APOSTLE, and to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.
• Do not misunderstand me, you have to do your part and pursue your education, learn your job or trade but remember even as you do and learn these things, that God’s GRACE is still present upon your life, giving you the ability to be great at what you do.

• You could not even learn what you learn without God!

• So many of us are quick to say “I did such and such” forgetting to reflect the glory and the praise back to God.

• Remember, You are what you are by the Grace of God!

Paul continued…

***But I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

• He laboured
  • In the Lord’s vineyard,
  • In the word and doctrine,
  • Preaching in season and out of season.
• He travelled
  • Going on four Missionary Journeys.
  • Preaching JESUS everywhere he went!
• He wrote more than any of the other Apostles.
• He led more people to Jesus.
• He planted more churches.
• He endured more hardships and sufferings.
• He did IT ALL!

*** But Paul continues to say:  Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me

• He attributes all to the grace of God, and nothing to himself!
• It was the grace of God that made him an Apostle of Christ, and preacher of the Gospel.
• It was that GRACE which being bestowed on him qualified him for it.
• It was that GRACE which enabled him to labor and toil.
• It was that GRACE that enabled Him to overcome suffering!
• Paul was careful to magnify the free favor of God, and the gifts of his grace.

REMEMBER, you are who you are by the GRACE of God!

Get Inspired to know that you are who you are by God’s grace!

Get Inspired to to live your life for God!

Get Inspired to be used of God, by His grace and for His glory!

And remember, by the grace of God you are who you are!

Until next week,

Isabella