“I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.” (1 Peter 5:12)

Grace – the word itself has a ring to it in such a way that it captivates the heart. It draws our attention, and will humble us if we yield ourselves to it. Grace is that essential element of spiritual life that we must be partakers of – if we are first to be saved, secondly to be sanctified experientially, and lastly to serve extraordinarily.

Grace is the surge of power that flows through the spark plugs to get the engine started. Without it, we’ll never get anywhere. Grace is the unmerited favor of God; and mercy is the channel through which we receive His Grace. Grace is the way our heavenly Father reaches our hearts through His Spirit; and without it, “…we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Grace is an essential to potential. I would like to show you from a Biblical standpoint what exactly is “the true grace of God” wherein we stand.

Did you know grace teaches us? Yes, that is exactly what the Word of God says:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11-12)

In verse 4 of his Epistle, the writer Jude mentions certain men who crept in unawares, “…turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness…” They were not of the true grace of God wherein we stand; because it is by the grace of God that we do stand in God’s holiness. He taught us, and is teaching us, through the fear of the Lord – what kind of life we are to live. If the grace of God isn’t leading us in the path of righteousness; it would be wise to re-evaluate the grace we claim to have – and pray for God to reveal to us His true grace. Amen.

Grace not only teaches the Children of God, but it also empowers us. The Apostle Paul, in his painful situation, beseeches the Lord three times about a thorn in his flesh. Instead, he receives an encouraging word from the Lord Jesus Christ saying, “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

In this response, Paul’s whole situation changes from despondency to victory. He then says, “…Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9c). In these verses we see that Christ’s Grace is Christ’s Strength, which gave Paul power over his weakness; thus teaching us that God’s Grace empowers His Children.

Is this the grace wherein you stand? Or are you continually defeated day after day? If so:

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Finally, and most importantly, God’s grace saves us. I don’t believe there is a doctrine more clear in the Word of God than the truth of God’s salvation by grace and by grace alone. We can find numerous Scriptures that strip us of all self-righteousness, pride, and arrogance, that tries to boast itself in our ability to merit God’s favor. But, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). And our works will never stand up before God over His finished Work. That is, the Work of Calvary. If we are not washed in the blood, which is a Work of God; we can’t be saved.

Paul tells Titus that our salvation is:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)

Paul closes his life with a letter to Timothy, his son in the faith, stating that:

“Who (God) hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1:9)

This is the true grace of God wherein we stand. And it is the prayer of the House of Hope Prison Ministry that you be not led astray with the error of the wicked; and do not “fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:17-18).