True Grace of God

Read Chapter 5 of 1st Peter.

In this last chapter, we’re given a picture of true grace for every faithful Christian. We’ve gained the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the true provision of God.

We are in exile, but not alone. Furthermore, we are foreigners in a strange land, but not without a king. The Lord provides us with elders and a way to handle even the most tough challenges of life.

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight…as God would have you do it…

1st Peter 5:1-2 NIV

The Lord God does not leave us to wander this world alone, in exile. He provides elders, pastors, ministers, and spiritual guides. They are patterns and models for us in Christian living, or living the “with-God” life.

It is true that we are responsible for how we live every day. We need to be humble, prayerful, sober-minded, watchful, and honest about the nature of the “with-God” life. Most importantly, we need to trust God that He who began a good work in us will complete it.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you suffer a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever.

1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV

Be Ready: Humble, Prayerful, and Aware

The humble one understands the nature of weakness and lowers their opinion of themselves. They come to God in prayer with a humble and contrite heart. God doesn’t have to hear their prayer, nor does He have to answer.

God hears our prayer and answers us when we call because of His great love, compassion, grace, and mercy.

So, Pray

Casting the whole of our care, anxieties and worries, means you trust Him wholeheartedly. We know, in the depths of our soul, that He cares for us affectionately, watching over us carefully and tenderly.

What happens when we don’t caste our care on Him?

Our concerns ferment with us and threaten our meager souls. Giving our cares, concerns, and anxiety to the Lord allows Him to handle them, and then He gives us peace—not only peace, but the wisdom, maturity, and confidence God knows we need.

There’s an Enemy of our Soul

We need to be aware that there’s an enemy of our soul. He wants us to worry and fret. He wants us to be out of the word and forget to pray. Don’t deceive yourself into believing he’s only a figment of your imagination or something told you only to keep us in check.

The devil roams like a roaring lion, fierce and hungry for blood.

This enemy of our soul wants nothing more than our total destruction. He is crafty and has had centuries to work on his evil skills. We are no match for him. He’s skillful in stirring up our souls to utter distraction. He stealthily moves the weak into a dry and weary land, then strikes a match, and like an arsonist, laughs with glee at his prey.

But we do not need to yield to his destruction. We can withstand him with a firm and solid faith. The Lord your God is with you. Stay rooted; established, strong, immovable and determined. Remember, you’re not the only one feeling satan’s fiery darts.

Put on the Full Armor of God

We need to resist the devil and take up our offensive weapon — the Sword of the Spirit (the Word). The Word and prayer are perfectly effective in resisting the devil. The Shield of faith is perfect in warding off the enemy’s assault.

Look at the dimensions of the full Armor of the Lord and look to Lord Himself who strengthens you and guides into all truth:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against the enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet, put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times, in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

Ephesians 5:10-18 (NRSV)

These words should embolden you: strong, strength, and power. God’s enormous power will strengthen you through your fiery trials and tribulations. He will equip you to handle whatever the evil one throws at you.

There are two significant things about the spiritual life we need to remember. The intent of our adversary and the necessity to be prepared. There is a greater power in you than he who is in the world.

The Sword of the Spirit (the Word) and prayer are always effective in resisting the devil. The force of such resistance sends him fleeing. Remember that the sword of the Spirit is defensive. We need something to deflect the flaming arrows of lies he’s throwing against us.

Faith, like a shield, protects us against the devil’s attack. Faith protects the whole person: spirit, soul, and body. It gives us confidence in our future and God enables us to remain strong, established, and steadfast.

Faith protects our heart!

The whole counsel of God is shut up in a narrow compass called the Word. Those who fellowship with the Lord and engage in His Word stand successfully against the schemes of the devil. The enemy of our soul operates under the guise of lies, deception, and slander. We know God, and He’s given us the Spirit of truth: the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Be three Dimensional Christians

Our faith must be three-dimensional: length, width, and depth. Two-dimensional faith has no depth, for depth comes from the Word of God, and those who know it not know not the deep things of God.

Without such depth, we’re unsettled in our spiritual state and condition.

Jesus resisted the devil by using Sacred Scripture — the devil twisted it to try to deceive Christ. Don’t think he’s not going to try that number on you.

Believers, worldwide, will suffer and need the full armor of God. Suffering is not unique to you. God will accomplish His purposes, perfect you, confirm you and strengthen you.

Now What?

After you have suffered, and you will suffer, stand fast in your faith. The Lord your God is not only with you, but He feels your pain. God’s grace is mighty to comfort you and provide His favor and blessings.

God’s loving care, guiding hand, and watchful eyes are with you. You’re safe — safe and secure to enter into His eternal presence at just the right time.

He will not forsake you, in the suffering, or leave you when the suffering ends. He is faithful. Yes! The God who called you to join Him in His eternal home makes sure you’re ready to enter in.

And after you suffer a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever.

1 Peter 5:11 NIV

After you’ve suffered for a little while and resisted the devil, the Lord will Himself do this:

• Perfect you — making you adequate and sufficient for Him
• Confirm you — causing you to become strong and steady
• Establish you — provide a strong base for your faith
• Strengthen you — making you capable to live the with-God life — not weak

In Conclusion

… Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1st Peter 5:14b (NRSV)

We may feel that this is all very hard, but let us not forget this one thing: It is Christ Himself who fights on our behalf as we place our faith in Him.

Do not worry and do not fret. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

This is the true grace of God. His unmerited Devine assistance given to us for regeneration and sanctification.

We are on a journey and it might get rough. We are His people, even in exile. So, we may have to pay a costly price, suffer and even resist unto death. He is both sovereign and loving. Even in tragic circumstances, God is faithful. His loving design for our lives will bring good.

But Christ never lets suffering and death have the last word.

Trust the Lord, and I say it again, trust the Lord. God has an active role in calling and caring for you.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV.

May the Lord bless, keep you, and make His face shine upon you,