Good morning. The apostle Peter wrote to the Christians of the early church to share with them wisdom, promises, and commands from the Lord. He draws near to the end of his first letter to them with precious insight.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:5-8
His conclusion speaks for the entire letter, stating his purpose and God’s command: I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 1 Peter 5:12
Those final words, I think, reflect upon Peter’s personal journey. He had trudged up the hill called Golgotha, the place of the skull, and from a safe distance witnessed the crucifixion. He had felt the shame, loss, and failure of his fallen faith until Jesus lifted him up to reinstate him. When he writes about the need for humility, he writes from personal experience. When he writes of casting our anxieties on Him, he knows personally how great that need truly is. When he writes of being vigilant and alert because the enemy has his eyes on you, he knows firsthand what it feels like to be in Satan’s grip.
But the greatest truth he can share with Christian people, the greatest personal reality he can refer to from his own experience and need, is the amazing grace of God. It isn’t a grace that is easily defined because it is beyond human experience. It isn’t a type of grace that makes sense from a human point of view because the volume of love required is beyond the ability of the human heart.
So, Peter simply expresses the truth of God’s grace throughout his letter, and then commands that it be their foundation, the place where they must stand firm.
We can’t explain God’s grace, not really. But we can say “yes” to it, and that is all our loving God asks of us. Say “yes” to the grace of God today and stand fast in it.
Vern