1 Peter 1:10, 12 "...of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the GRACE that would come to you...to them it was revealed that, not to themselves but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached this gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things which the angels desire to look into."
It's becoming increasing clear to me that GRACE is not an element of our Christianity, but it is the focus of our Christianity. This GRACE that you and I freely receive and enjoy today was something that prophets thousands of years ago inquired and searched for carefully knowing that it was not for their consumption. What a sobering thought!
What grace on our lives that God predestined us for this time so that we could enjoy the benefits of GRACE. We could have been the generations long before that were desperate for salvation and wholeness, yet it would have alluded our grasp and left us with only the foretaste of it's riches through our dreams and visions.
So awesome and precious is GRACE, that angels, who have no need for of GRACE, have a desire to know it.
Here we are today, with this incredible gift of GRACE that knows no bounds or limitations and yet we relish in it only when we are first saved or take time to recall the mercy of God on our lives. When we compartmentalize GRACE to the salvation experience we actually cheat ourselves the true life that Christ purchased for us.
There is just so much more involved to GRACE than salvation!
Peter, who was a major beneficiary of GRACE - cutting off ears, being self promoting yet denying Christ and cussing out a child- described GRACE this way - "the manifold GRACE of God!"
He knew intimately that GRACE is not a one time event in our lives but something that is an on-going organism of influence in our everyday lives, unfolding it's dynamics and mysteries in practical and relevant ways.
2 Corinthians 5:14 says this, "For the love of Christ compels us..." Grace compels us. "Compel" means to drive, having an irresistible affect upon. I liken it to a new pregnant woman. This tiny new life within her has an irresistible affect that causes her to be repulsed by things she usually doesn't notice or used to love and it drives her to hunger and crave things that would usually have no appeal to her senses, almost to the point of being unusual and out of character.
I recall on a vacation with my parents and husband 20 years ago, (I can't believe that number!), when I was pregnant with my first child and didn't even know it yet. Everyday of our vacation I would make them drive me all over Nashville looking for salt cured country ham. If we sat down and the restaurant didn't have it - I insisted that they all get up and find one that did.
Now I can't believe I did that, but at that time there was something that compelled me to act that way - something new in me, something I didn't understand fully - but it was there, driving me to want some salty ham!
Later as I understood I was pregnant and the value of this life in me, I was compelled to take care of myself, guard this new life, and prepare the environment around me. And eventually this new life would become the joy of our home and bring such blessing to everyone who has ever come to know her as we do.
The love of Christ compels us - His GRACE compels us! This manifold GRACE that prophets searched for and angels longed for that's in us today - compels us! It has an irresistible affect not only on us, but to all who come to know it.
2 Peter 3:8 tells us that we should grow in the GRACE and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For anything to grow it must be given attention. And this my friends is why the focus must be on GRACE. As we learn about His GRACE, carefully inspect it through the Word of God and communion with Christ, we will come to see and know all that God accomplished for us through the work of His Son and the appreciation and value of GRACE will increase in our hearts.
Knowing the full work of redemption, the depth of God's love for people, the greatness of His acceptance of us through the blood of Jesus- we will be compelled by this GRACE in a way that surpasses our own logic and understanding.
You can't focus on anything else but GRACE that can impact your life that way. Systems, people, institutions, regulations, rules, techniques and programs don't compel from within - they control from without. Only GRACE has the affect of inward influence and only GRACE should be our focus!
