Wait ’til You Hear This

She had taken a test designed to identify one’s spiritual gifts, and was sharing her results with me. Being an insightful woman with the wisdom that comes with age, she noticed something beyond the obvious results, as well. “One of my top gifts was faith,” she said, “but I see myself as a naturally fearful person. My other primary gift was encouragement, but I tend to be somewhat critical by nature.” Without saying so directly, she was testifying to God’s grace in her life, His Spirit gifting her with what she lacked for Kingdom life and Kingdom work.

Nearing the end of his earthly ministry, Paul bade farewell to the Ephesian church. “I consider my life worth nothing to me,” said the aging apostle, “my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”¹ Such clarity of purpose and focus! Yet we, too, can testify to the good news of God’s grace, for as we’ve seen over the past 16 posts, God manifests His grace to us “in its various forms.”² Consider for yourself . . .

“God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus . . .”³ Can you remember when joy in God’s presence replaced the fear of His rejection? If so, you have good news of God’s gift of righteousness.

“[God] saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”⁴ Do you recall the relief of rescue from eternal separation from God? Then tell your good news of God’s gift of salvation.

“This same Good News that came to you . . . is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”⁵ Have you seen changes in your life that only God could make? Then you have good news of God’s gift of transformation.

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”⁶ Has God ever done something through you that far exceeded your natural ability? Then testify to the good news of God’s sufficiency.

And what of His sustenance in suffering, His call to works, His renewing of our minds? God writes His story into our lives, so we in turn may testify to His grace. For it is He who equips us with what we lack for Kingdom life and Kingdom work.

Father, You have done much for us. Remind us of Your work in and through us, that we may testify to the good news of Your grace in our lives. In Christ we pray. Amen.

¹ Acts 20:24
² 1 Peter 4:10
³ Romans 3:24 NLT
⁴ Titus 3:5 NLT
⁵ Colossians 1:6 NLT
⁶ 2 Corinthians 9:8