Marsha's Musings: Standing in God's Grace. (1 Peter 5:12-14 KJV)

        

By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. (1 Peter 5:12-14 KJV)

 I wasn't sure what I could say about these ending salutations, however, there is a small phrase that stands out here.  "...this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand..."  Of course Peter is saying that the whole of what he has written is about the true grace of God in which we stand. It's a book about suffering and God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him because His power is made perfect in his weakness.  

When we lean on God's grace, we find the strength to endure hardship.  When we lean on God's grace we find the strength to do good to those who hate us and despitefully use us.  When we lean on God's grace we find the strength to keep our mouth shut when we would like to lash out.  When we lean on God's grace we find the strength to be the spouse, employee, employer, child, etc. that we should be.  When we lean on God's grace we can do what is right instead of what is convinient.  It can go on and on.  God's grace is all about the strength we need to be sanctified in and through the trials of this life.

God's grace is all about the spiritual riches that He bestows on us though Jesus Christ at Christ's expense.  It  is not earned or merited.  We are saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God lest any man should boast.  All the glory goes to God alone. This is the grace we stand in.  

Here We Stand:

Scriptures Alone

Faith Alone

Grace Alone

Through Christ Alone

Glory to God Alone