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.

Psalm 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

We may link the issue of the belly with scriptures related to bowels of compassion. That area is defined in serval biblical encyclopedias as being the seat of choice. In a common context I might refer to it as obedience of faith.

In my Christian youth (babe in Christ) a teacher likened the fountain of live and the rivers of living waters as a hose. The emphasis of that teaching was on obedience of faith and that we control both ends of the hose. One at the source connection, the faucet and the other at the nozzle. This puts us in control of the rate of flow and the recipient of grace.

Allow me to agree on a point of obedience of faith in which God does appreciate our submission and obedience. To a more salient point, since when are we in charge of God’s will? Who declares that we have the power and it is our judgment that is supreme?

Yes our understanding of grace, what it is and how it works is established in relationship with our God thru the scriptures and in truth. Yes, obedience of faith is directed grace. It is a blessing both to the recipient and the giver. It establishing a firm bond of fellowship.

What happens to your emotions, your conscience, if you look at your performance of grace as being within your control? Feelings of disappointment well up inside us at every thought of missed opportunity to be that fountain of grace. We start making opportunities rather than listening to God. They become self-righteous works and God is not in it.