The true cost of the grace of God
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (1 Peter 1:11 KJV)
God’s grace is often referred to in the scripture as the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is not merely divine kindness. It is the kindness of God revealed in Christ or better still as Christ. Grace in the New Testament is inseparable from Christ. It is not some teaching or doctrine about God’s goodness or not punishing sinners, as some suppose. Grace is encapsulated in the person and work of Christ. In fact, if the Father wants to reveal grace to you, He does not reveal some hidden teaching. He reveals His Son.
Peter’s words above gives us a glimpse into the reason why God’s grace is inseparable from Christ as well as its true cost. Grace is a mysterious combination of the sufferings of Christ and the glory of God that should follow. God has given to us the best gifts of heaven, which is Himself. That Gift is free to us, but it was not cheap. Today, a sinner can accept Christ within 10 seconds and a lifetime of the grossest sins you can imagine gets wiped out in an instant. It is not because those sins stopped being sin. Someone paid the price for those sins to be forgiven and cleansed. Christ suffered and died on the cross for us to enter into the glory of God. Grace is free to us but cost Him his very life.
MEDITATE
Take a moment to think carefully on the verse above and how it applies to you. Personalize that scripture and picture Christ suffering not just for the world but for you.
APPLY THE WORD
Grace is called the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for a reason. Never take your eyes off His grace. There is no other message in Christianity besides Christ. Let His grace and love fill your hearts and minds as you remember His sufferings and give Him praise and thanksgiving for His grace.
PRAY
Thank the Father for the blessing of giving us His Son.
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