My guess is that on a regular basis, you either receive a forwarded message or forward one. If you’re like me, you try not to forward too many, no matter how incredulous, because you don’t want to be that (annoying) person!

I recently learned that there is something believers are to forward frequently. But before I could grasp the concept, I had to comprehend this verse. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

Each believer has received a spiritual gift or gifts (like teaching, giving, healing, evangelism, prophecy, etc.). We are to use these gifts to build up the church and serve one another. But, how do we faithfully administer God’s grace?

Grace is that free, undeserved favor we receive from God. It is not something we can earn or attain on our own merit. We experience God’s grace in His gift of salvation and other blessings.

But, how can we forward grace? I think grace will be demonstrated when we use our gifts to serve others in love. We can bless others when we refuse to hold a grudge and not keep a record of wrongs. In our eyes, others may not deserve this grace . . . but neither do we. We reflect God’s character when we share what God has blessed us with. We forward His grace as we love and serve others.

An important key is found in the following verse. “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides” (1 Peter 4:11b). So, we are not left to conjure up this grace all on our own. Once again, God is our source. He not only provides the grace for us to forward to others, but the strength to do so as well.