THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD-
Merry Monday by Parris Bailey
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” or “as good stewards of God’s many-sided kindness” (Weymouth) 1 Peter 4:10
Years ago Frank preached a wonderful message on this scripture. In fact Frank was describing the face of Victory Fellowship in the years to come. We had just moved to Airline Highway and our vision was to have a multi-racial church. His grace after all is multi-faceted. We wanted to welcome the “Frank and Parris” of our day. God’s grace can reach anyone. The word manifold in greek is “Poikilos”-1) a various colors, variegated 2) of various sorts. (Thayers) Barnes says- His favors are not confined to one single thing. Let’s study this word a little closer.
Barclay says this about this scripture: “No possible problem can arise to which the grace the God cannot supply the solution; no possible task can be laid upon us which the grace of God cannot find a way to do. There is no possible set of circumstances, no possible crisis, emergency or demand through which the grace of God cannot find a way, and which the grace of God cannot triumphantly deal with and overcome. There is nothing in life with which the grace of God cannot cope. It is indeed sufficient for everything.”
I love what Spurgeon says,”We are told of “manifold mercies,” that is, mercies which are folded up one in another, so that you may unwrap them and find a fresh mercy enclosed in every fold. Manifold as in a bundle, take Christ in his different characters, and you will see a marvelous variety – prophet, priest, king, husband, friend, shepherd. Take him in his life, death, resurrection, ascension, second advent, take him in his virtue, gentleness, courage, self-denial, love, faithfulness, truth, righteousness – everywhere it is a bundle. Some of God’s judgments are manifold, but all God’s mercies are manifold, and Christ being the sum of God’s mercies, hath in fold upon fold of goodness. He is ‘a bundle of myrrh’ for variety.”
The grace of God flows into every part of us and lives out His own life in all the diversified experiences and activities of our manifold life. His graces come to us unfolded in beautiful variety and completeness. Even the river that flows from God flows from manifold streams of supply. Simpson
Not only will we never understand this word Grace but we will never stop needing it. What is it today that you are in need of that He cannot supply? He knows what you have need of before you even ask, He is just that kind of God. Not only does He comes but He brings His gifts full of variety and depth! Now that is some good preaching!