Abundant Grace
30 Days in 1st Peter - day 29
Let me take you back to something I wrote earlier this month about 1st Peter. I wrote about indicatives and imperatives and how that the Apostles always built the imperatives (the commands and exhortations) on the indicatives (the things that are already true). The “what you must do” is based on the “what God has already done or will certainly do.”
When we come to the end of this letter, Peter finishes with imperatives. He wants us to end by reading what God has done and is going to do in the future.
He calls God “the God of all grace.” What does he mean by that? He could mean that all grace has its origin in God. And that is true – “Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from heaven.” Peter could be saying that God is the source for all the different kinds of grace we need in life. We need saving grace, grace to suffer well, grace to endure loss, grace when we need guidance...we need grace in so many different ways throughout life, and God is the source of all the ways grace comes to us.
While those ways of looking at this are valid, it seems that in the context Peter is emphasizing the God of all grace because we might be tempted to think we can’t get along without certain things. Peter is writing to people who are or have lost a lot due to persecution. And when you are losing your job, home, church, or even your life he wants you to know that God’s grace is for you and is sufficient to take care of you.
This is what is meant in the great hymn “Amazing Grace:”
Through many dangers, toils and snares;
I have already come.
His grace has brought me safe thus far;
And grace will lead me home.
This is Peter’s point. “The God of all grace has called us to His eternal glory.”
You may be going through great trials in life. And whether that is because of opposition to your faith or simply the hardships of life in this world; God is going to see you through to your final home in glory. That destination is glorious beyond anything you can imagine right now.
The reason you will overcome these momentary afflictions and arrive in glory is not because you are strong, wise, or courageous. It is because God – the God of all grace – is going to give you the grace you need.
His grace has brought you safe thus far.
His grace will lead you home.
Praise God!