Grace

Vicuña, one of two wild South American camelids. In the background the point on the Earth’s surface that is farthest from the Earth’s center, Chimborazo volcano – Ecuador. by David Torres Costales

Good morning, good morning!

Summer is over. Summer is over? Wah! 🙂 Yet a schedule, we long for a schedule. I fight against it but I know it is best. Everyone getting in the rhythm. My cry is for my words to be full of grace, mercy and love. Reality speaks already to frustration of children that want their own way. Just as God knows what is best for me and doesn’t always explain every detail, I learn from watching my kids they crave every detail as much as I do. Why? When? How? All I want from my kids is a yes Mom and I wonder truthfully if God doesn’t just wish the same from me.

Starburst, our dog, does a lot better with this concept than the rest of us. We tell her one word commands and she does them. Ok, well, not perfectly but most of the time it is an instant response. The Lord says:

By Silvanus, a true (loyal, consistent, incorruptible) brother, as I consider him, I have written briefly to you, to counsel and urge and stimulate [you] and to declare [to you] that this is the true [account of the] grace (the undeserved favor) of God. Be steadfast andpersevere in it. 1 Peter 5:12

Counseling in true grace, undeserved favor of God. Be steadfast and persevere. Peter‘s purpose for his first book. Believe it. Doubt no longer. Peter repeatedly teaches us this word: grace (charis).

a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech

2) good will, loving-kindness, favour

a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

3) what is due to grace

a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace

b) the token or proof of grace, benefit

1) a gift of grace

2) benefit, bounty

4)thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Now, found in the text of 1 Peter, what do I learn?

1 Peter 1:2 May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].

1 Peter 1:¹⁰ The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation.

And so on…

According to Peter:

• Grace is the spiritual blessing in Christ
• By His revelation: grace!
• it is the favor of God in our handling of suffering, doing things right no matter the cost (1 Peter 2:19, 20)
• showing honor from husband to wife…results in the grace/honor of God (1 Peter 3:7)
• showing as good stewards the manifold grace of God (1 peter 4:10)
• our humble attitude (not proud) God gives grace!  (1 Peter 5:5)
• God of all grace…(1 Peter 5:10, 12)

Let’s live in His grace. Let’s give one another…grace. Unmerited favor. Pray on, beloved, pray on!