December 17, 2018 -- I Peter 5:10-11 -- The God of All Grace

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong and firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 5:10-11 NIV

Grace doesn't seem like grace until a sinner recognizes his need of it. Grace is just a concept or a doctrine or a hymn until a person so trapped by sin and bereft of hope meets up with the God of all grace and finds herself freed from the burden of guilt, shame and sin.

The hymn "Amazing Grace" is at its sweetest and most powerful when we have been confronted with our own sinful hearts and vile thoughts and realized, I am that wretch saved by the grace of our Father given to us in Jesus Christ.

The context of this Name for God--the God of all grace--is one where the saint has endured suffering. Suffering is the fiery furnace where our hearts and minds are purified from the deep impurities of sin. Such trials show we are as valuable as gold to God. His own Son endured trials and suffering and through these He is the only way of salvation and He shows us the way of salvation.

God of all Grace--blessed be Your Name. Thank You for the salvation You show us, guilty-sinners, that salvation which is found in Christ alone. Spirit of God when the depths of the vileness of our sins have been revealed to us may the high and wide and long and deep loved-filled grace of God lead us to the healing which is found in only in Jesus. This Christmas season as many who do not normally go to church find time to attend may they be captivated by amazing grace and fall on their knees in worship of Christ--born a child and yet a king. Amen.