TO GOD BE THE GLORY

May 15, 2024



1 Peter 4:10-11

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Peter tells us that each follower of Jesus has received a gift, and this gift is to be used to benefit others. The point being, is that each of us has been “saved to serve”. Yes, it is by grace we have been saved and this is the gift of God, but God through the gift of the Spirit, also equips his people to serve in some capacity in the church and community. It is this understanding that results in Peter words that each of us have been gifted by God to serve one another, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.

As the transformed people of God, we are now called to serve one another with the gifts God has given us. The gifts of God given for the benefit of the whole faith community.

Peter groups these gifts into two areas: speaking to people’s spiritual needs and serving people’s physical needs. Some are able to bring God’s words to others in all kinds of ways. Others see people’s physical struggles and show a desire and ability to help. “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” 

Peter teaches us that those who serve by speaking are to use the Bible, and not their own ideas or they will be ineffective. To those who serve in a physical capacity, they are to seek God’s guiding strength in serving others or they will be burned out.

When this way of using our gifts is pursued, God is glorified because it all comes from Him. No wonder that Peter ends this section with a doxology of praise to God. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.