Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I am utterly amazed at how God’s grace is received by others through the course of our gathering together in fellowship. Whenever I receive grace at the words of another, I acknowledge God in them and the grace shown. We all need to be encouraged that God is working in us even if we do not see it ourselves. It might even be more important to hear when we ourselves do not see it.

Our weaknesses do not stop God from being God. We belong to Him. He is our Lord. He needs neither our permission nor acknowledgement to us our bodies which are His to do with as He pleases. He does just that. Speak a blessing to those who have shown grace to you. They might not know that God is using them if you withhold your experience from them.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Paul’s use of the term “even as also ye do” is an encouragement to continue in doing that work of edification, to build up the body of Christ. Edification should not be a “one and done” effort. It is an ongoing work. Grace for grace is a continual outpouring, an endless stream of living water, that fountain of life.

Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Paul became a minister by the effectual workings of God’s power. Who Paul became in Christ was a gracious gift that was formulated within himself as God willed.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

From these verses we see that the resident power of God is exclusive to those who are in Christ. That power belongs to God, and does not respond to our selfish interests. Those who claim to have the power and control God’s power are vain creatures with little if any grace being shown. Not necessarily because that grace does not reside within them, but because of pride.

James 4:5-7 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.