·
A blue-eyed blond (okay, I couldn’t resist that preacher-humor).
·
God’s favor which tolerates sin.
·
God’s favor which permits me to sin.
·
God’s favor which guarantees me health and
wealth and easy days.
What is Peter talking about? One way to answer is to assume he is wrapping
up the epistle and is referring to what he has said. Peter has assured us of hope in Christ, even
though we go through grievous and fiery trials.
He has called us to a life of submission: in society, the workplace, the
home and in the fellowship of believers.
That is the unusual thing for people who are used to thinking the old way, the way we thought before
Christ. Back then we would fight,
literally. We wanted to return insult
for insult. But Peter has been used of
the Lord to call us to a much quieter lifestyle where we are ready at all times
to give an apologetic, an answer for our hope!
Another way to answer the question is just to
look at 5:10-11 where Peter sums up the things he said. Consider.
·
The source of true grace is the God of all grace. If you
adopt any of those false ideas of grace listed above you will find yourself in
a life that is miserable, a life that makes no sense. It is no
grace at all. But true grace comes
from the God, the only God, in whom is the reservoir that contains all grace. Yes! Affliction is a significant part of God’s
grace.
·
The God of
all grace is the One who called us to
His eternal glory by Christ Jesus. This
eternal glory is the glory of Christ
which He will share with us (Jn. 17:22).
Peter’s next epistle will begin by telling us that we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pt.
1:2-4). In the first epistle Peter has
said this God who called us is holy
(1:15); He called us out of darkness
into His marvelous light (2:9); He called
us to be Christ-like (2:21); and He
called us to inherit a blessing
(3:9). Yes, we have trials; but we are
truly blessed.
·
This true grace of God will make you
mature. It is true: without affliction
we do not mature. But by grace, after you have suffered a while (what a
great line) these difficulties are used by God to make us:
o
Perfect: equipped, usable; like the mended nets
of Mt. 4:21 (same term).
o
Established: placed firmly, able to life
faithfully.
o
Strengthened: strength in the inner man, the soul
(only use in the NT.)
o
Settled: well grounded, on a firm foundation
(the house on the rock, Mt. 7:25).
This is the true grace of God and when we live
by His grace we will be glorifying to Him and He will have present day dominion
over us (v11)!
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