Standing firm in grace.

See and say where you stand, believer...

Grace is unmerited favor, made all the more amazing by the fact that God pours it out freely on the unworthy. It's no wonder at all that John Newton wrote "Amazing Grace," and it's no wonder this song has endured for for 230 years and been loved by so many generations. Believers keep experiencing amazing grace!

The Apostle Peter wrote, "By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it." (1 Peter 5:12 ESV)

Let me write to you in even more brief turns, and let me write for the purpose of sharing some thoughts about grace.

Peter reminds us that grace is afoundational  issue in a disciple's life. Peter says of grace, "Stand firm in it." Peter tells us to recognize and remember grace constantly, and, in so doing, stand firm in grace and because of grace. We stand firm because we constantly remember this has never been about our goodness. We stand firm because we remember the Source of this unmerited favor. Because of God's grace, and not because of our worth or ability, we are accepted into the family of God, sit at the family table, enjoy the Father's favor, and experience all the family's inheritance.

Secondly, let's slow down and actually appreciate the Source of grace, as privileged mentioned. We are unholy. We are weak. We are broken. We don't get grace by merit. We get favor in spite of merit, which is the very nature of grace. It comes from God. It's, as Peter says, "...of God." Whatever, then, we derive from grace is from the goodness of God and for the grace of God.

Lastly, let's see two compatible and key features of this grace of which Peter speaks. It's (a) divine and (b) genuine.

It's divine because it's "...of God." Slow down for a moment and really appreciate this truth. When we are experiencing God's grace, we are experiencing something directly from the Source. It's of Him!

It's also genuine because what God offers in Christ is the "...true grace of God." What we get from Jesus is the wheat, not the chaff; it's the substance, not just a symbol or a shadow; it's the jewel, not the junk; it's the coin, not the counterfeit. Jesus is the real deal; He is the promise of God, and He can be fully revered, freely received, and forever relied upon.

The true grace of God is Christ Jesus our Lord. Stand firm in Him. Believer, see what you have in Jesus, and say it to all who will listen.