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Minister Grace
March 20
Minister Grace
didōmi charis
The expression didōmi charis (minister grace or “give grace”)
appears five times in the NT and is quite striking. As
mentioned on March 17, didōmi (G1325) means “to give of one’s
own accord and with good will.”
Grace, of course, is charis (G5485, see February 13-14), which
used in the context of salvation means the unmerited favor of
God toward man manifested primarily through the person and work
of Jesus Christ apart from any merit or works of man.
So, what does it mean for us to give grace to others? In broad
strokes, the words grace and favor paint a picture of
exceptional kindness, special goodwill, friendly action in
excess of the ordinary.
Predominantly, that is what should characterize our speech.
Paul writes in Eph_4:29 that “[our speech] may minister grace
unto the hearers.” Sometimes we say the right things, and even
say them at the right time, but we say them in the wrong
way.
We must always speak with love, concern, and kindness. While we
always “speak the truth” (Eph_4:15), we never stoop to today’s
so-called policy of total honesty, which often hurts those
around us. Our words are always kind.
There is a story in the Jewish Talmud about a king who sent two
jesters on an errand. He said to one, “Foolish Simon, go and
bring me back the best thing in the world,” and to the other,
“You, Silly John, go and find for me the worst thing in the
world.”
Both left but were back shortly. Grinning, Simon bowed low and
said, “Behold, Sire, the best thing in the world.” His package
contained a tongue.
Silly John snickered and quickly unwrapped his bundle and said,
“The worst thing in the world, Sire.” It was another
tongue!
Indeed, the tongue is the best and worst thing we each possess.
It can help or hinder; it can build or destroy. May we ask
ourselves throughout the day, “Is my tongue the best thing
about me or the worst?
Does my speech glorify and honor the Lord, and does it build up
those around me?” Let us pray with the psalmist, “Set a watch,
O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips”
(Psa_141:3).
Proverbs 18:21 21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Scriptures for Study: What is the measure of grace in Eph_4:7?
To whom does God “give grace” (Jas_4:6;
1Pe_5:5)?
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