At the end of Peter’s first letter, we find this important statement:
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. (1 Pet 5:12)
Many have questions about the meaning, nature, and scope of grace. What if we allowed the Bible to be its own best dictionary when it comes to defining grace? What if we relied less on our own commentary and more on the commentary of our heavenly Father when it comes to understanding grace? What better way to wrap our minds around “the true grace of God” than to survey these God-breathed declarations and exhortations that form, according to Peter himself, an inspired snapshot of true grace?
Declarations of the Gospel of the Grace of God
- Jesus of Nazareth is God’s anointed Savior, Prophet, Priest, and King — the Christ (1:1a)
- King Jesus has a people — citizens of his kingdom— “elect exiles” (1:1b)
- These ordinary people have come to be Christ’s in accordance with (1:2):
- “The foreknowledge of God the Father”
- “In the sanctification of the Spirit”
- “For obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood”
- We have been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus” (1:3)
- Being guarded through faith, we are looking forward to a perfect inheritance (1:4-5)
- Life on this earth is difficult (1:6-8), but the outcome of our faith will be priceless (1:9)
Exhortations to Live as the People of God, to the Glory of God
- Prepare your minds for action and set your hope on coming grace (1:13)
- Live for the remainder of your time on earth as obedient children of God (1:14-2:3)
- Not conforming to the passions of your former ignorance (1:14)
- Holy in all of your conduct, as your Father in heaven is holy (1:15-16)
- Never forgetting the cost of your ransom—the precious blood of Christ (1:17-21)
- Having tasted the Lord’s goodness, love one another from purified hearts (1:22-2:3)
- Live for the remainder of your time on earth with a new, Christ-centered identity (2:4-12)
- Like living stones, being built up as a spiritual house (2:5a)
- A holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (2:5b)
- A people for God’s own possession, that we might proclaim his excellencies (2:9-10)
- Sojourners and exiles in the present, whose conduct matters (2:11-12)
- Live for the remainder of your time on earth in submission to authority (2:13-3:17)
- To every human institution, as servants of God (2:13-25)
- At home, as fellow heirs of the grace of life (3:1-7)
- In relation to each other, as the family of God (3:8-12)
- In relation to unbelievers, as those who are dedicated to righteousness (3:13-17)
- Walk for the remainder of your time on earth in the footsteps of Christ (3:18-5:11)
- Living no longer for human passions, but for the will of God (4:1-7)
- Above all, loving and serving one another to the glory of God (4:8-11)
- In trials, entrusting our souls to a faithful Creator while doing good (4:12-19)
- Elders, as shepherds of the flock of God among them (5:1-5a)
- Clothed with humility, resisting the devil, firm in faith, dependent upon God (5:5b-11)
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 Pet 5:12)
This sermon was delivered on February 17, 2013.
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