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The Apostle
Peter’s last statement in his epistles is for us to grow in grace and
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). We grow in grace when God
gives us more grace. God gives us more grace as we prepare ourselves to
receive it. He gives us all of the grace we can handle.
Jesus is
God’s gift of grace. When Jesus came into the world He was full of grace
(John 1:14). God transfers His grace to us through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
God tells us specifically how this is done. In Romans 6:3 we are told that
we are baptized into Christ. We are then in Christ where grace is given to
us (1 Corinthians 1:4). After we are baptized into Christ, God begins to
make gifts to us through grace. Here is how that happens. When we are
baptized we have the forgiveness of our sins, and the gift of the Holy
Spirit (Acts 2:38). With the Holy Spirit comes spiritual life (Romans 8:11).
A new quality of life that enriches our faith so it is more precious than
gold (1 Peter 1:7). To that God adds peace that transcends our understanding
(Philippians 4:7). Also we are filled with inexpressible joy (1 Peter 1:8).
Plus love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19) and a hope that anchors
our souls (Hebrews 6:19). With all that enhancement to our lives God sends
us out to share theses blessings with the rest of the world (Mark 16:15,16).
We retain all of this grace through our humility (1 Peter 5:5).
When we
receive the grace of God there is still plenty for the rest of the world
(Titus 2:11). There is no limit to God’s supply of grace. Grace is evident
in our speech (Colossians 4:6) and it is present when we sing (Colossians
3:16). As we do things by grace we become strong in God’s grace (2 Timothy
2:1). When God’s grace is connected to our faith and love for Christ it
abounds in us (1 Timothy 1:14).
God warns us
that we can fall from grace (Galatians 5:4) by trying to keep the law that
God directed Moses to give to the children of Israel. That law was taken
away by Christ (Colossians 2:14) and we have a new covenant with God
(Hebrews 8:7-13). Let us give careful heed to the teaching of the New
Testament (Hebrews 2:1). That will make us strong in God’s grace (2 Timothy
2:1). Working together with God will make us even stronger in grace (2
Corinthians 6:1).
Our ultimate
grace from God is achieved when we work with God as proposed by Peter in 2
Peter 1:10,11, “Wherefore brethren give the more diligence to make your
calling and election sure: for if ye do these things you shall never
stumble; for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the
eternal kingdom of our Lord an Savior Jesus Christ.”
The God of
grace has given us works of grace to make sure we will receive His ultimate
gift of grace: a triumphal entry into heaven where God and His Son Jesus
Christ await us!
Hallelujah,
Amen!
Harvey
Childress, servant of Jesus Christ |
