1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect… You know that the word "grace" has many meanings, both in the original language of the verse and in our own language. As we use it familiarly, it is often "beauty." So that we have it, "The God of all beauty." And when you are admiring the gracefulness of some human form, in its finished delicacy; or looking upon the loveliness of nature — never forget that He is "the God of beauty." Let us look at it in another of its meanings. "Grace" is, properly, a free gift, arid since every good thing is utterly undeserved by us, every good thing is of "grace." All that raises and gladdens life — all goes to make "the grace of God." But we generally accept the word as having reference to spiritual good, For instance, we take it as relating to the Christian virtues, "the fruits of the Spirit"; and we call them "the graces." And He is "the God of all the graces." Now, there are some "graces" that, at this moment, you feel that you particularly need. Remind yourself, and remind God, that He is the God of that "grace"; that it is all His: His to give; a part of His province; an attribute of His sovereignty. But "grace" is more distinctly the pardon of sin. The pardon of sin is a "grace"; a privilege; not purchased — by anything we can say, or do, or think, or pray, or believe. But pardon is not all you want. From the spiritual cradle to the gate of heaven, it is all of "grace." You may safely, then, reason thus: "Lord, Thou didst call me. Thou didst it of Thy free favour. Therefore carry on, and perfect Thine own work." And in life, as it goes on, your providences want their "graces." And every providence requires its own appropriate and comforting "grace." Sorrow and joy, bodily health and sickness, successes and disappointments — all want their own proper, rectifying, effectual "grace." (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. |
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