True Grace

       The word for grace in the NT is charis (G5485), and it essentially means the ability to produce joy or delight; a token or proof of ability; or a gift of favor.  When studying that word's use in the NT, I found that it is NOT unmerited favor for the simple reason that Jesus had it.  Since HE was worthy to be gifted because HE lead a sinless human life, HIS abilities were of merit.  [Unmerited favor = mercy not grace]

      Then I ran across a little used verse at the end of First Peter which states, "By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose , I have written briefly, exhorting , and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand" (1Pet 5:12).  When I read this verse, I combed the passages to see what Peter was saying because the word grace is only found a few times.

       After the salutation (1Pet 1:2), grace is mentioned in regard to the OT prophets who inquired diligently about the grace coming to us within the salvation of our souls (1Pet 1:9-10).  They were shown that  the Spirit of Christ was testifing beforehand about the sufferings of the Lord and the glory that should follow (1Pet 1:11).  They were told that certain grace is brought to believers at the revelation of Jesus Christ implying at HIS return (1Pet1:13).

       In other locations, husbands were admonished to honor their wives as being heirs of the grace of life together with them (1Pet 3:7).  Here grace is linked to the new life of service that believers have entered.  Husbands were not to belittle women because of a man's ability. The woman was to be given honor.  Likewise, the younger were to submit to the elder and to be clothed with humility. Why? Because God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble (1Pet 5:5).

    So as we are interacting, we are to defer to the weaker vessels and not respond hautily.  But how could we do that seeing that we are humans with faults and failings?  Because God gives us the grace (ability) to respond correctly.

       1Peter 5:10 states that "the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you complete, established, strengthened,and settled."  Passages in 1Pet 2:10-12, 1Per 3:16-18, and1Pet 2:19-23 link grace with suffering.  When we suffer for doing good, the natural human tendancy is to complain, get mad, or give up.  Instead of those choices, God administers the ability to continue doing right.  Do not render evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise give blessing; knowing that you are called unto that response so that you may inherit a blessing (1Pet 3:9).

       God gives us the grace-ability to put down our fleshly responses and to reach into the realm of the spirit to discover words of life that can transform situations.  If believers think that they are to be free from firey trials, then they have not read 1Peter 4:12-17.  If they think that God does not care what they do, then they should read 1Peter 1:15-16.  

      The Father continually minsters grace unto the Body of Jesus Christ through the Spirit . Therefore we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that HE exalts us in HIS due time: Casting all our cares about these trials upon HIM because HE cares for us. We must be sober and vigilant because our adversary, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour: Whom we must resist stedfastly in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are occurring in our brethren throughout the world (1Pet 5:6-9).   AMEN

Comments

[Terry]

I feel so much happier now I undestrnad all this. Thanks!