STANDING IN GRACE
By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
1 Peter 5:12 (NKJV)
As Peter concludes his first epistle, he speaks of the grace in which we stand. Grace is unmerited or undeserved favor. Grace is free and it has nothing to do with law or works. A person who has been saved by the grace of God will exemplify good works, but the works do not obtain grace or salvation.
Scripture tells us that we stand in this grace. We are neither wavering or stumbling but God has firmly rooted and grounded Christians in His grace. Ephesians 3:17 speaks of being “rooted and grounded in love.” In his benediction, Jude says, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling…” (v.24). It is God who keeps Christians from stumbling. Paul is speaking of Jesus Christ in Romans 5:2, when he says, “Through whom also we have access by faith into the grace in which we stand…”!
Returning to the words of Peter, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (v. 10). It is so wonderful to know that when we need His grace to get us through the tough times, it will always be available. When a Christian is suffering, he is still being kept by God. . We are not slipping and sliding, trying to hold on to God, but we are firmly established by God in His grace. Thanks be to God, for securing us in His abundant grace!
Dear God,
Thank You for Your amazing grace and the security of knowing that we are firmly rooted and grounded in it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read 2 Cor. 12:9-10 and Eph. 2:8-9.
HIKING THE TRAIL
How would you describe grace to a new Christian? Commit one of these verses about grace to memory this week.
Copyright 2012 Carolyn Dale Newell.
A Mountain of Faith 