VIRTUES OF VESSELS OF GRACE

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good STEWARDS of the manifold GRACE of GOD” – 1 Peter 4:10

The practical import of the Covenant of Grace is for our lives to express the VIRTUES of VESSELS of GRACE: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good STEWARDS of the manifold GRACE of GOD” (1Pet.4:10). Grace is many-sided; and every Believer is called to be a Steward or Vessel of one facet or the other of His “manifold Grace.” Vessels of various kinds and functions abound in God’s Kingdom: “But in a great house there are not only VESSELS of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour” (2 Tim. 2:20). There are however certain Virtues that distinguish Vessels of Grace and Honour from Vessels of wrath and dishonour. Here are seven of these:

The vessel of Grace is humble: “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (Jam.4:6). Grace is not haughty (Rom.12:3). Pride refuses to ask for help, hides its flaws, pretends nothing is wrong, and ignores counsel. Whereas, humility asks for help, accepts imperfection, shows others where there are mistakes, and faces the hard things knowing God is right there. It takes a strong person to walk in humility before God, through grace.

The vessel of Grace serves: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in SERVING one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1Pet.4:10, NASB). He or she not only walks and lives in grace, but extends it to others through service; using his or her gifts and talents to help others get further in the journey than they could have achieved alone. Grace often involves giving up our rights in serving others. It takes a divinely confident and graceful person to give up one’s rights and desires in order to love others better. God always multiplies back the blessing of serving.

The vessel of Grace gives:  ^“But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also” (2Cor.8:7). Just as grace serves others, giving displays the grace of God to others. We give time, money, resources, and service to support the work of God as well as the needy.  

The vessel of Grace rules over sin: “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under GRACE” (Rom.6:14). While grace doesn’t free us from the temptation to sin or usher us into sinless perfection, it does give us access to the power of God to resist and overcome sin and fleshly lusts as we boldly come before Him in times of need (1Pet.4:1-4).

The vessel of Grace is watchful in prayer: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another…” (1Pet.4: 7-8a). The believer should live with a sense of eternal vigilance, divine urgency, and eager anticipation for the ultimate consummation of redemption.

The vessel of Grace is truthful: cherishes and lives by truth, not hiding in hypocrisy, but transparent before God. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jh.14:6). His incarnation as “the Word” was “full of grace and truth” (Jh.1:1,14). Truth cannot be divorced from grace. However, a person of grace confronts error in love, not by beating people up with the truth. 

The vessel of Grace walks in boldness: “Let us therefore come BOLDLY to the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:16). God took the first step toward us and then gave us permission to always step toward Him in boldness. Grace gives us confidence to approach God rather than trying to fix life’s problems alone. We are truly strong only as we walk in the will and strength of God (1Pet.4:2).

Vessels of Grace are humble in service and giving, living above sin, watchful in prayer, truthful, and bold in the Lord!