In 1 Peter 4:10-11 each one of us is instructed to "use whatever gift we have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." These verses along with those which surround them, reveal three essential differences between what we as Christians do and what others do.
One difference is why we do what we do. Christians realize that our "gifts" are never self-serving, but are always "others-serving." The word used here for "gifts" refers to the "gifts of the Spirit" or "spiritual gifts" (the literally meaning of the word is "grace gifts"). The very nature of the spiritual gifts is Divine Love expressed through service (note v. 8). Peter puts the gifts in two categories, speaking and serving, which covers every area of ministry. Knowing too, that all good and perfect gifts come from God we understand every gift, spiritual or physical, is bestowed to be used in service to others - in ministry. 1 Corinthians 13 speaks directly to this by placing the spiritual gifts to the test of love. We can mimic a ministry action, but without the correct "why" we never fully accomplish what needs to be accomplished.
What is done is the second difference.. When we serve we "administer God's grace." As astounding as this is, it is the reality of true Christian service. In our acts of loving service we extend God's grace to the recipient. It is more than a glass of water we give, its water with grace. There is an inexplicable dimension to this. That may be why Peter elaborated upon grace noting "its various forms." (He also may have been clarifying that this was not to be mistaken as "saving grace.") Though we may not even mention the how and why of our act, God's grace is administered in the very act and does a work in the recipient's life. We must be careful not to take this for granted. We must always be conscious of what we are doing, prayerfully seeking an opportunity to express to people why and what we are doing. But, let us never forget that when we minister we are instruments through which God conveys His grace to others.
Our acts of loving service also bring praise to God through Jesus Christ. We are not looking for praise or recognition. Our heart's desire is for God to be seen and praised. This is not always an immediately result. At times we are thanked first, which opens the door for us to direct the praise and thanks to God.
There is a third significant difference; how we do what we do. Our acts of service are done by the enablement and empowerment of God. We do nothing by our own resources and strength. This is why our acts of loving service administer God's grace and bring Him praise. Using our own resources and strength greatly diminishes what is done and will, at most, accomplish only earthly results. Just as God said through Zechariah, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit." Peter was careful to note this by using the word "receive" when speaking about our gifts and later noting that we are to use "the strength God provides." Both our enablement and empowerment are from God alone.
Beloved, "let each of us use whatever gift we have received to serve others, faithfully administrating God's grace in its various forms," always mindful of and rejoicing in the fact that what we do is distinctly, profoundly, and powerfully different than anything done by non- believers. "To God be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen!"
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry