A Multitude of Grace

"For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does." (1 Peter 4:6 ESV)

1 Peter Chapter 4: “The Manifold Grace of God!”

I love reading, hearing, speaking, and teaching about the Grace of God, don’t you?

What else changes the lives of those who are dead in their sins, like we at one point were? What else enables us to be saved for all eternity? What else enables us to continue in fellowship with our Savior? Of course, the answer is nothing else, only God’s manifold grace!

Look at the context of this statement from the Apostle Peter, in verses 1-5, where Peter tells these Jewish Christians that they once lived to please their flesh or, as he says in v3, “the desires of the Gentiles.” Peter then explains what that means using examples like 1) a course of sensuality, 2) lusts, 3) drunkenness, 4) carousels, 5) drinking parties, and 5) abominable idolatries. Then he states that these unbelievers now condemn Christians because the believers no longer “run with them” into these same sins.

They said to Peter, Man, haven’t we heard this before? “Who do you think you are, telling us that we can’t live this way any longer? Don’t you remember you were the one who used to do these things?” But Peter responded, yes, but apart from the manifold grace of God, I would still be dead in my sins. But now, because of my Jesus and what He has done for me, I am forgiven and free from living that ungodly lifestyle any longer. I’m sure you could say the same thing.

Sure, the particular sin, time, and place are different, but we all were dead in our sins, not wanting to change until the Grace of God was made known to us. Because God had given us faith, we needed to believe in this good news of eternal salvation offered freely by God and paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross.

What is this “manifold” grace of God? The word “manifold” by most English translations, in Greek, is “poikilos” (ποικιλος) and means “various kinds,” and “grace” means that we receive something that we didn’t deserve. So, what are the various kinds of grace of God?  We all know about saving grace, that wonderful gift God gives anyone who will accept His son as complete payment for their sins. Many times, folks say, “We are saved by faith,” but that is incorrect; we are “Saved by Grace, through Faith.” Faith is the transport, the method that God uses, but never forget that His manifold grace saves us.

We have sustaining grace, that gift of God that keeps us saved. Indeed, none of us thinks that we are good enough on our own to deserve to remain in the presence of a completely Holy God. No, it is only because of what Jesus has done, His sustaining grace, that we can call God “Aba, Father” and be allowed into His very presence. Then, there is God’s manifold grace that we receive every day in the blessings He gives us. We don’t deserve to have a warm bed to sleep in, a cool house to live in, food on our tables, and many sets of clothes.

All of these things are blessings given to us through God's manifold grace. Which of us deserves our spouses? We don’t; our spouse is one of the many things given to us by His manifold grace. (Remember, grace is receiving something that you don’t deserve.) How about your children or grandchildren? Aren’t they precious gifts from God because of His manifold grace?

Then, as Peter states in v10, “As each one has received a special (spiritual) gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  We are all part of God's manifold grace, given to one another so that we may use the gifts that God has given us through His grace to serve and love one another. When we stop and think about all the things we have that we don’t deserve, we can start seeing the tip of the iceberg of God’s manifold grace.

So, my friends, put on “God’s manifold grace” glasses and start seeing what a magnificent, wonderful, loving, faithful God we have.

It’s all about His manifold (various kinds of) grace.

Living in Grace is not about what I can do, but about what Jesus has already done!

Jerry Hanline came to understand his need for salvation in the spring of 1969.  Jerry was ordained to preach the gospel of God’s marvelous grace in May of 1984 after he graduated with his M.Div. from Capital Bible Seminary. Jerry spent 10 years ministering to local churches as an assistant Pastor and lead Pastor. Now retired Jerry loves to teach God’s Word and has taught adult Sunday School for many years; he also supports local churches as pulpit supply as needed and is active in the Senior Adult ministries in his local church.

Jerry is married and has two daughters, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Jerry writes a weekly devotional for Grace Through Faith Devotions, which can be found on Facebook at  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/709991182435778/ ).

We here at In Messiah are blessed to have Jerry Hanline as a guest contributor. Look for more from Jerry in the future.