THE GRACE OF GOD
1 Peter 1:7/10
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, you love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you?”
Grace is the divine assistance given to believers for victorious living and abiding peace. Grace is virtue coming from God that offers approval, favor, mercy, pardon and is a privilege for every Christian to enjoy.
The prophet clearly stated, the grace that was coming to the Messiah’s kingdom would be different than anything that had ever been revealed under the law.
This grace they prophesied about was not completely shown to them, yet, has been made know unto us by the prophetical utterance given by the prophets through Holy Spirit sent from heaven which the angels desired to look into.
The Word of God is the declaration of grace and is the source of our justification, sanctification, regeneration, and salvation which is founded in the Cross of Jesus Christ.
This grace is necessary in our service to God, enabling you and me to carry out His purpose in our lives. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and there is no other word for grace but amazing. It was foretold by the prophets according to 1 Peter 1:10.
This grace starting with the incarnation and sufferings of Christ, and redemption that was secured by His death on the cross, and was made known, by the prophets; but they themselves did not know the time when these things were to take place, nor the people for whom it would be given.
They accurately, earnestly and diligently searched, inquiring of others who were then under the same inspiration, and carefully examining the scrolls of those who had before them, written of those things which were to come.
The predictions which they uttered seemed to be for the people of their own times, yet they were in fact prophecies of the grace which was to come in the New Covenant that would show forth the favor of God.
They prophesied concerning Christ, who is the unspeakable gift of God’s grace, the one who is full of grace, and by whom grace comes; and also of many blessings through Christ, such as redeeming grace from Satan, sin, death and the grave.
Jesus who is the Lord of our righteousness, and through His justifying grace, we are justified, and by His sacrifice on the cross we have redeeming grace and eternal life.
The prophets long ago prophesied of the overflowing grace, and were searching for the meaning of the prophecies which they delivered. They longed for the day of grace to come waiting patiently to see the glory of God revealed.
This grace they sought after came by Jesus Christ, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
We are instructed to give honor where honor is due, but our praise honor and glory is only given to Jesus Christ the begotten of the Father. Father coming down Son going up, Jesus said to the Father, “Glorify thou me with the glory I had with you in the beginning.”
To the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul said, “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:4
So what is this grace? Well this one thing that we know, it is given by Jesus Christ, and there is a throne room of grace that we may freely enter. And the riches of God’s graces are unveiled through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The grace of God is described as redeeming grace, great grace, sovereign grace, rich in grace, exceedingly great grace, a manifold witness of grace, all-sufficient grace and there is an abundant of grace for the believer.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:11/12
The prophet Zechariah, prophesied saying, “Who art thou O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; and He shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting’s, crying grace, and grace unto it.” Zechariah 4:7
The sixth verse says, “Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbablel, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of Host.
He was saying those who opposes the rebuilding of the temple, you will become a plain, and shall sink into nothing, and shall assist at the laying of the finishing stone when the foundation is laid, grace, grace God’s grace, grace that is greater than all my sins.
Jesus Christ is the finishing stone; He is the cap stone, the stone that the builders rejected, the Alpha and omega, the Ancient of Days, the Healer to those who are sick, bread to the hungry and water to the thirsty, and our soon coming King, He is the grace of God the prophets talked about.
The Psalmist David said, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them what walk upright.” Psalms 84:11
The grace of God is to enlighten and quicken, and direct and comfort his people. A shield to save his people from all their enemies and this grace which is better than life comes from the eternal throne room of God’s glory.
Then in 1 Peter chapter one and verse eleven, “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”
The glory that should follow – Not only the glory of His resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the work of the Holy Spirit; but the manifestation of God’s love to the world in causing the Gospel of His Son to be preached everywhere.
The early church preached the gospel of the Cross, and continued faithful unto death because of the grace that was given to them.
From the book of Act 20:32 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
There will be a special manifestation of grace at the second coming of Jesus Christ. In the book of 1 Peter chapter one and verse thirteen, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Gird up the loins of your mind, you have a journey to complete, a race to run, and a great work to accomplish. Be sober minded in opinion, as well as in practice and in your behavior. Be humble in your judgment of yourself and other.
Hope to the end for the grace – Continue to expect all that God has promised, and especially your salvation, that glorification of body and soul, which you shall obtain at the revelation of Christ, when the church is caught up.
Think about this grace, “For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruption shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, and then shall be bought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:52/54
Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.
