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All of us are dramatically shaped by how we view ourselves. Some have too low a perspective; some too high. To be imbalanced here is harmful in either direction.
The Apostle Paul summed up his self-awareness in one important sentence as he wrote to the Corinthians.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
THE WORK OF GRACE
A proud man believes that he has made himself. He loudly boasts of his accomplishments so all may know what he has done. Paul, as one of the greatest followers of Christ in history (he wrote 2/3 of the New Testament), did not view his life that way. He realized everything that had been accomplished in his life happened by God’s grace.
Grace is unmerited favor. It is God giving you what you do not deserve. He wrote earlier in this book a similar thought that framed his self-awareness.
“If everything you have is something you’ve received, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
Without God, you can accomplish some things—many non-godly men have. But it will be counted eternally as wood, hay, and stubble. God’s evaluation proclaims that it will not matter and last for the billions of years of eternity. But if we humbly bow before Christ and follow His lead, He will accomplish through the humblest believer great and mighty things.
GRACE THAT IS NOT IN VAIN
In light of this grace, Paul worked humbly but aggressively. He didn’t take what God had done lightly, and he gave himself fully to the task. But all that came from his labors—everything that was good and effective—he still saw as the work of God within him and through him.
How do you see yourself? A mature man has come to the humble knowledge that he is nothing without Christ and everything with Christ. He is a mere branch on a glorious Vine, but he has been fearfully, wonderfully, and uniquely made by the Creator, designed for great achievements by God’s grace.
This wise balance allows him to live powerfully, but dependently in life. To glory in God yet accomplish great things.
Father, thank You for Your great work in me. Thank You for designing me to be a mighty tool in the hands of a Mighty Savior. Thank You for all You have and might accomplish through me in the days ahead. And thank You that without You, I am nothing. Thank You, Lord, for Your matchless grace that enables the fulfilling of my destiny. Keep me humbly aware and eternally grateful.
Copyright © 2025 by Bill Elliff @ billelliff.org. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org