Not Mine But His

DEVOTION

ROMANS

NOT MINE BUT HIS

Rom 1:5-6
5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
NIV

Oh how sweet the sound, through Him and for His name’s sake. I have to ask myself, do I often consider that which I have receive as a benefit for me, a talent or ability as something I should use for the advantage of my own being, to be used to advance my position in society or improve my living conditions, or increase my financial security. But here I see it was not of Paul’s doing, but rather through Him and for Him that Paul received grace and apostleship. The Greek word used here for grace is of great importance, it is the accusative case of ‘charis’, ‘charin’ which insists the divine influence upon his heart and how that is reflected in his life is subject to, or on account of or due to Christ. In other words the reason Paul received the divine influence on his heart, was for Christ’s sake, not for his own sake. And this imparting of divine influence was accompanied by apostleship, or a commission, a special calling for a special task for the sake of the kingdom, not for Paul himself.

And this commission was to call people from among all the gentiles. Now, although most, if not all, of the people I know, as well as myself have not been commissioned to call people, such as an evangelist would, but I know I have been called or commissioned to be a witness.

Acts 1:7-8 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
NIV

And, of course I have to ask in this case, do I testify to bring attention to me, or do I witness of God’s work in my life to bring attention to Him. Do I tell of His work for His names sake? Do I always give Him the glory? When God influences my heart do I reflect Him to the world so He will be the center of peoples focus? I pray this is the result of my life. People will see the Lord, not me. Whatever I have or do is a result of God’s grace and it is for His sake, not mine.