Aware
By Lexi Cole Ellis
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)
By Lexi Cole Ellis
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)
I
have a confession. I unequivocally love my car’s AC. It’s slightly ridiculous
how happy having air conditioning in my car makes me - - probably because the
last two cars I drove did not have it. Yes, having the windows down worked
great and owning any vehicle that reliably gets you from point A to point B is
a privilege and blessing. But I now find myself aware of the benefits of AC and
often find myself thinking: Really, this
is the best.
Once we’ve experienced the better, we are aware of it… even with something as stupid as air conditioning. So in such a more massive and life-changing way, when we are aware of God’s gift of grace, we are drawn towards continual thanksgiving.
In the verse above, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. Believers were diverse and needed to live counter-culturally to the sinful, social norms of the city. The above verse calls all Believers to be aware of God’s ever-expanding grace, and how it causes thanksgiving. Before this verse, Paul reminds them (and us) that we are to be aware of what life was like before knowing Him.
Because there are so many that do not have a personal relationship with God, Paul writes about the importance of not veiling the Gospel, being a light to a dark world and choosing perseverance in trials. And then his following words show the necessity of awareness: “…because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus.” When we are aware of how great His gift is to us, it then causes overflowing thanksgiving. [1]
understand air conditioning in my car is a silly thing to adore. In the grand scheme of things, it’s so unnecessary. But there are moments that I’m aware of it because I’ve known what life was like without it. How much more so then should we, as Believers, pause and reflect on what God has done in our lives - - meditate on how His grace has impacted us - - and turn to overflowing gratitude.
GOING DEEPER:
Once we’ve experienced the better, we are aware of it… even with something as stupid as air conditioning. So in such a more massive and life-changing way, when we are aware of God’s gift of grace, we are drawn towards continual thanksgiving.
In the verse above, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. Believers were diverse and needed to live counter-culturally to the sinful, social norms of the city. The above verse calls all Believers to be aware of God’s ever-expanding grace, and how it causes thanksgiving. Before this verse, Paul reminds them (and us) that we are to be aware of what life was like before knowing Him.
Because there are so many that do not have a personal relationship with God, Paul writes about the importance of not veiling the Gospel, being a light to a dark world and choosing perseverance in trials. And then his following words show the necessity of awareness: “…because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus.” When we are aware of how great His gift is to us, it then causes overflowing thanksgiving. [1]
understand air conditioning in my car is a silly thing to adore. In the grand scheme of things, it’s so unnecessary. But there are moments that I’m aware of it because I’ve known what life was like without it. How much more so then should we, as Believers, pause and reflect on what God has done in our lives - - meditate on how His grace has impacted us - - and turn to overflowing gratitude.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you make prayer a priority this week and focus on
sharing your gratitude with God?
2. One way we stay aware of God’s gift is to share our story
of our life before and after salvation. Take time this week to write down how
God has saved you, or share it with someone close to you.
FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 4:1-15; Psalm 9:1; Colossians 3:16-17
Lexi Ellis is currently an adoring
mom to her first child. She is busy with all the things that motherhood brings
as well as building a new home. She continues to write for Fresh Start amidst
the many changes.
[1] 2 Corinthians 4:2-15
[1] 2 Corinthians 4:2-15
