Exodus 33:13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.

Do me a favor is the most heard expression of favor. I want something, you can provide it, and I am asking it of you. This is not the expression of favor in Kingdom living.

Moses expresses here in Exodus 33 a better understanding of favor. Some translation use the word grace for favor and the definition of grace is unmerited favor. So allow me to expand on that in this issue of finding favor.

First consideration is that favor is an attitude and attention which is bestowed upon one who is unworthy and has done nothing to deserve God’s favor. We must understand favor from the viewpoint of our perfect God’s perfect love and any grace shown towards us is without harm, and it given to draw us closer to Him.

Moses expresses this in the way that God has already shown him favor and Moses desires to know more about God, His ways, His gracious intent, which is His will for us. The end of the verse is critical for understand the basic character of grace, to be extended to others. “This for Your people.”

The humanistic design of favor is selfish. Grace from the Father is anything but selfish. Its design is fruit bearing, it brings forth more of itself. Thinking of it in this way shows me that the tree does not consume its own fruit. Grace to me produces grace in me, which is extended to others.

This is why I say grace received is grace extended.

John 1:16 And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Yesterday I left off stating that the religiously well-educated were offended by Jesus referring to Himself as Son of man. To the Pharisee that was equivalent to blasphemy, calling Himself God. He was and He did offend them intentionally.

Here is how I define a Pharisee: anyone who hates to take second place to anyone else. I say this because it is in direct contrast to what Jesus instructed His disciples to do.

Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Our real danger in ministry is in trying to appear to be something which we are not.

2 Timothy 2:2,5 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

We know what we should look like and how we should act. If it is an act, we are not being real. You cannot fake humility, it is an inner quality and not a cover. Modestly is an outward appearance which has nothing to do with humility. Modesty is a choice to look good. Humility does not care how it looks, it is not concerned with anything except being real.

Give praise, glory and honor to God who has done so much for you, in you, and thru you.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.