Cross Reference
New member
Some say God granted/bestowed "Gifts of Grace" upon the Apostles. Were they "Gifts of Grace" or something else?
The Gifts of Grace to the Apostles was their salvation, callings, commissions, "signs" given to them to show their authority from God and having spent time with our Lord.
The gifts of grace to us are our salvation, commissions and "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and temperance." We also receive the gifts given to us as individual believers from the Spirit of God.
1 Cor. 12:4-11,
Gifts of the Spirit - - - not of Grace.
27-31 and 1 Cor. 13 (all)
Gifts of administrations by the Holy Spirit. Again not of Grace.
The gifts of grace to us are our salvation, commissions and "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and temperance." We also receive the gifts given to us as individual believers from the Spirit of God.
These are the compulsory fruits of the Spirit, very much evidence of who we belong to. Gifts are electives, meant for service. Paul tells his audience to desire them. Chapter 13 brings the life of God and His gifts all wrapped up together.
Are you still with me?
Then my gift is "life more abundantly," freedom from sin and death, eternity worshiping my Lord AND every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
None of which I deserve.
DIfference, please, between "to" and "in."
Lets also add the word "For".
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.)
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." 1 John 4:7-11 (KJV; John 13:35 (KJV)
Toward/to connotes an action as in projected "towards" us. "For" one another says to me that you have love for me but it's maybe in your back pocket. You aren't ready yet to give it me.It is contingent upon something.
Having faith "IN" someone doesn't say you are OF him. You believe about him sufficient to have confidence. Whereas being "OF" connotes intimacy - discipleship - sonship, as in a familial relationship..
This is the reason I stick to the KJV and only use the newer translations if I need help getting into the ballpark. Gotta watch those tiny prepositions and conjunctives.
I am of Apollos. I am of Paul. etc...
I am in Christ.
Gotcha.
God certainly is IN the details.
Seems you saying you are not OF Christ. Sorry, that won't fly in His economy, i.e., Jointer-ship WITH Him.
Oops! I didn't mention there is a "WITH" to be considered. Are you with Apollo or Paul when they both admonish us to be OF Jesus.
I was using those examples to illustrate your point to myself...thinking out loud, if you will.
Understand?
Here's me:
Instant legalist; just add details.
As a bond-slave I have a sense of obedience/duty/love and how to live those in a sin-sick world. It's a hard thing but I return again and again to scripture for hope and comfort.
Thank you for being so very gracious with me.
You ARE a grace dispenser.
Some say God granted/bestowed "Gifts of Grace" upon the Apostles. Were they "Gifts of Grace" or something else?
. . . and you a prince, my friend. Thank you.
Oops!! My bad!Princess.
Thank you.