The True Grace of God Romans 5:1-2 1 Peter 5:12 1 Peter 5:12 …we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand …this is the true grace of God in which you stand

False Views of God’s Grace Irresistible and selectively applied (Calvinism)Irresistible and selectively applied (Calvinism) Continuous cleansing (neo-Calvinism)Continuous cleansing (neo-Calvinism) –Cleansed even as we sin –This view of grace minimizes doctrinal accuracy while championing unity in doctrinal and moral diversity Impossibility of apostasy (Gal 5:4)Impossibility of apostasy (Gal 5:4) Unity in diversity (grace in spite of error)Unity in diversity (grace in spite of error) 2

What is the True Grace of God? 1 Peter 5:12; Romans 5:1-2 How does standing in grace affect our lives?How does standing in grace affect our lives? Does standing in grace mean there is a “king’s x” of exemption protecting us in everything we do? Rom 5:20-6:1Does standing in grace mean there is a “king’s x” of exemption protecting us in everything we do? Rom 5:20-6:1 We must have a scriptural framework from which to understand, stand in and be blessed by the “true grace of God”We must have a scriptural framework from which to understand, stand in and be blessed by the “true grace of God” 3

1 Peter 5:12 Universally available, but not universally receivedUniversally available, but not universally received –Grace has appeared, bringing salvation to all, Titus 2:11; Col 1:5-6 –Gift of grace abounds “to the many” by Christ Jesus, Rom 5:15, 12 Gen 22:18: All nations blessed in the seed of AbrahamGen 22:18: All nations blessed in the seed of Abraham Gal 3:14: Blessing of Abraham comes “in Christ…the promise …through faith”Gal 3:14: Blessing of Abraham comes “in Christ…the promise …through faith” 4

1 Peter 5:12 Accessed through Christ by faith, Gal 3:9Accessed through Christ by faith, Gal 3:9 –Through Jesus “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand”, Rom 5:2 –Saved “by grace, through faith…”, Eph 2:8-9 5

1 Peter 5:12 Teaches us to obey the gospel of Christ, Tit 2:11- 12Teaches us to obey the gospel of Christ, Tit 2: –Noah, Gen 6:8-9, 14, 22; 7:1 Heb 11:7 GraceGrace Obedient faithObedient faith –Jericho, Joshua 6 Grace, 6:2, 16Grace, 6:2, 16 Obedient faith, 6:3-5, 6-20Obedient faith, 6:3-5,

1 Peter 5:12 Teaches personal responsibility while you rest your hope fully on “the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”, 1 Pet 1:13 (Titus 2:11-13)Teaches personal responsibility while you rest your hope fully on “the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”, 1 Pet 1:13 (Titus 2:11-13) 7

1 Peter 5:12 Personal responsibility:Personal responsibility: –Obedience in holy, reverent living, 1 Peter 1:13-17 –Abstinence from fleshly lusts; honorable conduct, 2:11-12 –Submission to civil government, 2:13-17 –Spousal responsibilities, 3:1-7 –Putting away worldliness, 4:1-3 –Abstaining from idolatry, 4:3 –Love and hospitality, 4:8-9 –Resist the devil, 5:8-9 8

1 Peter 5:12 Does not condone sin, Rom 6:1-2, 15Does not condone sin, Rom 6:1-2, 15 –Grace does not say: “you will be cleansed and saved in spite of your sin”. –Grace calls us to repudiate and repent of sin – not let it live in us and reign over us, Rom 6:6, 10-12,

1 Peter 5:12 “What about one sin just before I die??”“What about one sin just before I die??” –Emotional argument designed to blunt the force of clear truth that sin condemns! Rom 6:23 –Sin condemns…even one, Mark 10:21-22 Question: What sin can you commit, be unrepentant, and still be confident of heaven?Question: What sin can you commit, be unrepentant, and still be confident of heaven? –Hypothetical “what ifs” do not justify the ongoing practice of sin (Col 3:9) 10

1 Peter 5:12 Grace is greater than our personal sin when we repudiate our sin and obey the truth of GodGrace is greater than our personal sin when we repudiate our sin and obey the truth of God –Confess sin; do not deny it, 1 Jno 1:8-10 –Stop practicing sin and instead, “practice the truth”, 1 Jno 1:6-7; Rom 6:1-2 11

1 Peter 5:12 Does not allow us to maintain fellowship with false doctrineDoes not allow us to maintain fellowship with false doctrine –“Do not be carried away by strange doctrines…be established by grace”, Heb 13:9 –Different, perverted gospels turn away from grace, Gal 1:6- 9 –Contend against error…turns grace into lewdness, Jude 3-4 –Do not have God beyond the doctrine of Christ, 2 Jno

1 Peter 5:12 Do not be deceived by false concepts of God’s grace…Do not be deceived by false concepts of God’s grace… –Overlook sin –Minimize importance of faithful obedience –Diminish the value of sound doctrine The gospel is the word of God’s grace, Acts 20:24, 32The gospel is the word of God’s grace, Acts 20:24, 32 Believe and obey the gospel to stand in the true grace of God!Believe and obey the gospel to stand in the true grace of God! 13