Titus 2:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:1; 1 Peter 5:5-7

We must continue in the grace of God.  We must live under grace and not under law.  But here is another way grace teaches us how to live godly in this present age: it strengthens us.  Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

How this works is somewhat mysterious, but it is clearly taught in Scripture.  Paul said nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20).  Again Paul said, I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God that was with me (1 Cor. 15:10).  Again he said, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).  We are to be strong but only in the grace.  So the question we ask is, “How do we access God’s grace day by day?”

Grace is received by faith.  If it is received by our works then it’s not grace.  But there is a principle of faith with respect to receiving God’s grace and it is repeated three times (Prov. 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6): God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  To humble ourselves, or as Peter says, to submit ourselves to God, is an act of faith.  We see this wonderfully illustrated when Paul spoke of his thorn and how that by submitting himself to God he found sufficient grace for all his weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:7-10).  So now let us ask what it means to submit ourselves to God that we might be strengthened by His grace?

·        Submission in the fellowship, 1 Peter 5:5; Eph. 4:1-3; Phil. 1:7.  Peter, in the context of receiving grace, called on the younger people to submit to the elders, and in fact for all to be subject to each other.  Through this lowliness and gentleness and bearing with each other we access God’s grace.

·        Submission in society, 1 Pet. 2:13f,18f; 3:1f.  The authority/submission relationships are key to experiencing God’s grace in society.  For example, how submission to every ordinance of man results in God silencing the ignorance of foolish men.  Submission at home can win over one’s husband.

·        Submission by prayer, Heb. 4:16.  Again, in 1 Pet. 5, note that casting all your cares upon Him is humbling ourselves to receive God’s grace.  God calls us to His throne of grace to find grace and mercy in time of need.

·        Submission to the word, Jas. 1:21-25; Ac. 20:34.  James says the implanted word saves us; but then he says too that God’s favor rests not on the one who hears the word but the one who does the word.  Thus Paul committed the elders to the word of His grace which is able to build you up.

·        Submission through abiding in Christ, John 15:5.  It is very clear.  If we do not abide in Christ we can do nothing.  As Christ is the Person of Grace, and the fullness of God’s grace, so we must remain and grow in fellowship with Him.  As Peter urged, let us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 2:17-18).

As Peter said, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.  Let us, by patience and humility, allow God to do His perfect work in our lives.