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Transcript

Hello, this is Niall Walshe. Welcome to another "Thought for the Day" from the Christian Bible Church.

The Apostle Peter was a man who knew what it was to depend upon the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. At one of their early recorded meetings, in Luke chapter 5, Peter's reaction to Jesus' obvious divine power was to say, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man." But Jesus responded to this declaration of unworthiness by assuring Peter that he would become an evangelist. And there are several other occasions during Christ's ministry when Peter displayed his wonderful humanity and, so, had cause to rely upon the Lord's grace. Not least among these was when Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of the Lord's arrest. This event too was responded to with grace.

So it is no wonder that Peter is able and willing to instruct others on the topic of grace. In 1 Peter chapter 1, verse 3, Peter writes, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance." We have a God who gives generously. Peter had experienced this generous grace on more than one occasion. Peter offers this greeting, perhaps, as both a prayer and an assurance. Abundant grace, abundant peace. Grace and peace are very interlinked. Peace with God in a Christian's heart, without grace, is not truly possible. Peter, having received grace, was able to pass it on - and this is one reason we Christians today need to make sure we are living in God's grace, for what we receive is what we also will pass on.

Peter then goes on to write in verse 10 of chapter 1, "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care." Salvation was always going to be by grace. There was never any intention that man would be saved by obedience. The prophets of old knew that, and searched for the grace that was to be revealed. The prophets spoke out a message they didn't fully understand - in terms of "time and circumstances" - and that is the situation with many Christians today. Many know that we are saved by grace, but haven't fully grasped the total sufficiency of God's grace, there is still some lack of understanding of the "circumstances" of salvation. There is still a need to grasp, with greater understanding, "the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow." Christians need to ensure that they are totally dependent upon grace, and grace alone, for their right standing before God.

And still in chapter one of 1 Peter, in verse 13, Peter urges us all - for the letter is addressed to all Christians - "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." If hope is set on anything other than grace then that hope - and a Christian's daily walk with God - will be like a see-saw. Christians have a sure and certain hope, because it is rooted in what Jesus has done. To enjoy this hope, and to live in this hope, Christians must set their hope fully upon the grace to be given them. If a Christian ever experiences a lack of hope, he or she need only turn and fix their eyes firmly on God's mighty grace - personified in Jesus, given before the beginning of time and guaranteeing all the riches of heaven at Christ's expense.

Thank you for listening.