GROWING IN GRACE

  

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi

  Luke 19:17”And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” KJV

       This parable illustrates the relationship between promotion and accountability.  Grace  is often defined as an “unmerited favour” this implies to an extent that the outcome of our decisions on earth excludes any form of impute from us. By this theology,fellow who ran the fastest in a 100 meter Olympic  race should not necessarily be given the gold medal even if he ran according to laid down rules and regulations. This belief has led to a lot of mediocrity among God’s people and corruption in society. It gives no room for accountability, probity and transparency which are a sine qua non for  positive development in any community. God’s mercy is neither merited nor unmerited however; its acknowledgment by the recipient is what warrants its validity in a person’s life.Therefore,it is through gratitude that we gain access to the provisions of God's grace.  

        Grace means God’s help .The Greek word for 'grace' is the word ‘Charis’ and it means: a divine influence .It is by this influence that humanity was unilaterally pardoned by virtue of Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice on the cross. Even at that, until a person accepts this provision by faith (with its corresponding work), it remains of no effect to that individual. There is a co-relationship between what a man does and how grace work. That’s why the scripture says, faith without work is dead. The theology that downplays the importance of work in our salvation experience is not logical and is counterproductive to the development of any society. It encourages laziness and leads to poverty (James2:17-18). Most African Christians have been thought that exemption from work in order to become a preacher (full time ministry)  is a virtue to be celebrated thus farms , companies and factories are being converted in to church buildings resulting in an  increase in poverty and political imbalance in the land. 

    The parable in  Luke 19:11-27 teaches that Jesus Christ has given talents and gifts to His disciples to advance God’s kingdom agenda: the winning of souls (John15:16) on earth pending when He shall return.

            Those who are faithful (trustworthy) in using their skills, experience, finances, talents, and knowledge in the expansion of the kingdom of God will be given more positive socio-political influence among men. They will have access to power ;that's the meaning of  the clause “occupy till I come” and in Luke 19:17 “have thou authority over ten cities”. One of the ten servants had served himself ;not His master. He loved money more than God.  He was unproductive with what his lord had given him. Persons who do not consciously invest in the expansion of God’s kingdom are investing in the expansion of Satan’s kingdom : that's why they are described as being wicked. The excuse often given is that of not having enough. Nobody has enough,that's why the rich still work.  It is a matter of where one’s passion lies: money or God? A Christian isn’t successful in business or work until souls are saved through that business or job (Matt.9:36-38, Matt.12:30).

     God’s angels are only obligated to give protection to businesses or jobs whose owners are committed to the propagation of God’s kingdom (Zechariah 1:17-21, Haggai 1:6-11).” How much of my talent, skills, experience, knowledge and finances are expended on the expansion of God’s kingdom on a daily bases?” is a question that every born again Christian should ask themselves daily. Jesus instructed that the one talent of the wicked servant be taken from him and given to the faithful servant. Serving Christ is a commitment that requires conscious calculated, active participation and God expects us to grow in this relationship with Him. We are to use God’s money wisely. May you never lose your place to another in Jesus name. 
Prayer: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and grace for steady growth , stability and development in your vineyard in Jesus name. 
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