IT BLOWS ME AWAY! - Part 4

We have been exploring GOD'S AMAZING GRACE - His Prevenient Grace, His Saving Grace and His Sanctifying Grace! My wife, Karen, does the proofreading and makes suggestions for all of my blogs. Regarding this five-part series on Grace, she said "I feel like I am in theological seminary class", to which I replied, "it doesn't hurt anyone to have a little study of theology in these days." My hope and prayer is that my readers understand and are amazed at ALL the aspects of God's Grace. Since this series is based on previous blogs, if you have not read the first three, I encourage you to stop here and read those before continuing on.

So then now, let's focus on GOD'S KEEPING GRACE! "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again (saved) to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded (kept) through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:3-9) Note carefully verse 5. "who by God's power are being guarded (KEPT) through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." God's Grace includes the guarding, protecting, enduring, keeping work of the Holy Spirit and He uses our faith to accomplish that work.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and need of the Savior, the Dying Christ saves and sanctifies us by His sacrificial death on the cross (having His body broken and His blood poured out) and the Living Christ (resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven) KEEPS us saved and sanctified. "For if while we were enemies (alienated from God), we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son (Jesus) much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life." (Romans 5:10)

The Bible refers to God's Keeping Grace clearly and often. In Jesus' prayer for His followers (those then present and future ones) He says, "And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, KEEP them in your name. . . . I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you KEEP them from the evil one." (John 17: 11 and 15) Now, note verse 20: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. . . ." And, "But the Lord is faithful, He will establish you and guard (KEEP) you against the evil one." (II Thessalonians 3:3) "Now to Him who is able to KEEP you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy. . . ." (Jude, verse 24) "He will not let your foot be moved, HE who KEEPS you will not slumber. The LORD is your KEEPER. . .The LORD will KEEP you from all evil; He will KEEP your life. The Lord will KEEP your going in and coming out from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121: 3, 5 and 7-8)

God's Keeping Grace is the grace given us that keeps us close to God in the midst of the abundant sin that is in the world and culture in which we now live. This grace enables us to keep rightly related to God. His Keeping Grace enables us to GROW in faith and spirituality. ". . .you will grow up into salvation."

(I Peter 2:2) "But GROW in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (II Peter 3:18) So, whereas God's Saving Grace is forgiving grace and His Sanctifying Grace is cleansing and empowering grace, His Keeping Grace is spiritual growing grace. His Keeping Grace is God's blessing that provides protection from sin, satan and evil that would defeat and even destroy our faith in Jesus. ". . .we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us." (Romans 8:37) "If God is for us, who can be against us? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding (praying) for us." (Romans 8:31 and 34)

It is time to ponder the CHARACTER OF GOD' KEEPING GRACE! First, it is a Rewarding Grace. We praise God, "Blessed be the God . . ." because He has poured out His abundant mercy and grace and "caused us to be born again, giving us a Living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 1:3) Because of His resurrection, we too are blessed with the hope and anticipation of the reward of our own resurrection from the dead and grave unto eternal life. Second, it is a Reserving Grace. We have an inheritance "reserved or kept in heaven" for us. Our inheritance is incorruptible, pure and spotless; sinless and undefiled, unfading, lasting and permanent. (I Peter 1:4) Third, it is a Revealing Grace. God reveals His power, both now and forever, that guards or KEEPS our faith now and reveals both our faith and salvation in the last time. This is GOD'S BIG PICTURE - since it is the unveiling of God's redemptive plan, purpose and accomplishment that will be revealed to the entire world at Christ's return to earth (we refer to that as the Second Coming of Jesus). (I Peter 1:5) Fourth, it is a Rejoicing Grace. "In this you greatly rejoice" even in the midst of the refining fires that test the genuineness of our faith. ". . .be found to result in praise, and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 1:6-7) Fifth, it is a Receiving Grace. We "obtain the outcome", completion or perfection of our faith, the total, final and eternal salvation of our souls.

(I Peter 1:9)

Now, that we've considered the Character of His Keeping Grace, let's ponder the ADMONITION OF GOD'S KEEPING GRACE. First, we are told to "prepare our minds for action." Right action(s) stem from a correct mind-set. We must make up our mind to live God's way, in His will, fulfilling His purpose and engaging in His Kingdom Work! Second, we are instructed to be sober-minded, serious and about God's business! We must be totally devoted to making God first place (not just any place) in our life and priorities. Third, the Apostle Peter tells us to "set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" at the end of times. Our hope must remain until the end when Jesus returns. That will be the consummation of God's saving, sanctifying and keeping grace. The command is for us to be obedient to God, as obedient children, in all times, in all seasons and in all circumstances. (vs. 14) Fourth, we are also told, by contrast, to avoid being conformed or fashioned to worldly passions (a love and loyaty to ungodliness) (vs. 14) Fifth, Peter calls us to holiness of life, faith, conduct, belief and motive for our choices. ". . .but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in ALL your conduct, since it is written, 'you shall be holy, for I am holy' " (I Peter 1:15-16)

It bears taking seriously the truth of this Scripture when pondering and implementing the Grace of God He demonstrated for and within us. ". . .knowing that you were ransomed from the futile way inherited from your forefathers , not with perishble things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. . . .so that your faith and hope are in God." (I Peter 1:18-20) I am reminded of an old hymn with lyrics that speak of God's Marvelous Grace:

"Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, There where the blood of the lamb was spilt.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide, What can avail to wash it away?

Look, there is flowing a crimson tide, Whiter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe,

All who are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

Chorus:

Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin."

I continue to be utterly "blown away" by the nature and power of God's Grace! Why? Because His Keeping Grace is amazingly Biblical, True and Good Theology!