Romans 15:15-18 NASB95
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, [16] to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. [17] Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. [18] For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me…
There was grace deposited in Paul to be a minister of Christ so that the fruit of Paul’s ministry offered to God would be acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Only that which is done by the grace of God is acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Remember, grace has a face, and that face is Jesus Christ. That is why Paul went on to say that it was only “in Christ” (in union with Christ) that he could boast about anything pertaining to God, for Paul never presumed to speak of anything except what Christ accomplished through Him. We are all called to be ambassadors of Christ. We are all called to re-present Jesus, and our ministry and mission field is right between our two feet. God does not want us striving to minister to people out of a sincere desire to have an impact. Ministering like that is the reason so many pastors and “full-time” servants of Christ burn out. Trying to carry the load for God and sincerely trying to impact people for Jesus is like trying to cut down a tree with an ax that has no ax head. Beating against a tree with an ax handle does nothing but bruise the trees and exhausts the one swinging the handle. God is not operate through our striving. He operates through our resting in His grace, allowing Him without any anxiety or push in our hearts to accomplish what He wants to accomplish. Only that which is done by restful reliance on the grace of God in Christ is acceptable to Him and holding. I have discovered over the decades that the harder Christians try, the harder they fall, and I’ve also discovered that it is often only after they fall that they’ll stop trying to do their best for God and start trusting Him by His grace to do His best through them. Trust me; His best can accomplish more in a moment than our best can accomplish in a lifetime. Don’t be confused, resting is not an activity, it is resting in His activity. You’ll probably end up busier than you ever been in your whole life but you will be operating but the supernatural grace of God. If you are weary and heavy-laden and your service of Jesus and I’ve got good news for you, He offers you rest for your soul.