1 Peter 5:10 – 12
As we meditate on 1 Peter 5:10, we are introduced to the fact that He is indeed the “God of all grace.” He is known in Scripture and in the church not only as the God of love, which surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:19), and the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3), but here He is majestically revealed to us as the “God of all grace.”
When we speak of God, we often must use what is referred to as sweeping universals. He is not just a dispenser of grace, occasionally extending grace to us, but He is the God of total grace. Wherever grace, unmerited favor has been exhibited, let it always be known and acknowledged that it comes from our precious heavenly Father – the God of all grace. It must never be overlooked or forgotten that our God is eternally gracious.
Therefore, in every sense of the word, boasting and self-glorification should categorically be excommunicated and permanently exorcised from our lives (Eph. 2:9) They should have no place in the lives of the believers. We wholeheartedly declare, it’s all God and all of God. Rich or poor, high or low, we choose to remain mindful of the eternal wonders of His grace and grace-gifts, so abundantly bestowed upon us daily. It is by His grace we stand and are allowed to serve.
We acknowledge that in His church there are no privileged few or upper class of the elites, but we all consider ourselves blessed and favored by Him, brought into His beloved commonwealth of the redeemed, a community of equals, with full citizenship rights. Can you just imagine that we who were so alienated and far removed from Him are now His own bona fide children and to use a colloquial expression, His “true-true” children! We are all recipients of His grace and as children of grace, we graciously, continually, give praise and worship to Him, as Peter does in 1 Peter 5:11.
It is absolutely fascinating to know and to keep in mind that the “God of all grace” has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus (v10). The songwriter captures it so brilliantly when he declared “You didn’t want Heaven without us, So Jesus, you brought Heaven down. My sin was great, your love was greater. What can separate us now?” It also thrills us with the great excitement to know that not only has He called us to glory, but He has provided us with the means of grace to get there!
As he concludes his encouragement to the saints in Asia Minor undergoing great stress and persecutions, Peter assures them that the “God of all grace” will perfect them – make sure they are thoroughly complete, deficient in no part, fully equipped. He speaks prophetically to them, reminding them that God will … stablish, strengthen and settle them (v10). This God of grace not only calls us, but He promises to build us up, fortifying, strengthening, and helping us to stay calm and settled when all around there is craziness, instability and complete chaos. He wanted the brethren to know what the true grace of God is and what it does (1 Peter 5:12). This is one of the themes of this book, revealing to the saints the true grace of God. It all comes from the “God of all grace” (v12).
Church of God, you can take this to the bank in 2022! The “God of all grace” will completely furnish us for all the trials and eventualities of these apocalyptic times. He will – Stablish, Strengthen and Settle you. We are called to His eternal glory, and we will get there by His grace.
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
