How Can God’s True Grace Change a Life?

It seems like the number three must be carved on the side of a mountain somewhere when it comes to communication. I can’t tell you how many talks at conferences I’ve heard that had three points. Or when it came to what to do, there were three steps to take.

It probably didn’t start here, but Peter gives his readers and us three things that he’s done for our benefit. We’d do well to pay close attention to these three things. To not just follow them, but to do them with the people around us.

Briefly. Being brief is a lost skill. With computer technology, there’s no reason to keep it short. Emails and social media posts can just keep going on. And on. And on. But being brief is not only the best way to get someone’s attention, but also for them to remember.

Encouraging. When we’re standing beside and joining their team, that’s when they are encouraged. We consistently come to their aid and help them. We bring more than encouraging words and emotions; we actively join in with our time, money, and resources.

Testifying. Without being asked, we’ll speak up for people. And not just when it’s convenient. We will consistently tell the truth even if it means friends and family walk away from us. This isn’t just giving testimony in court before a judge, but also in the court of public opinion

Let me be the first to say that I am not this kind of person. Yes, I can be encouraging and speak up for people most of the time. But I really struggle with being brief. I want to keep talking and talking. It’s the way I try to convince myself just how smart I am. How much I know.

And oh, by the way, standing fast isn’t a suggestion. It’s not an option. It’s not something you might do if you get around to it. Standing fast isn’t to be put off till it’s a more convenient time. When standing fast becomes easier.

Not on your life. Peter is giving an order. It’s something that has to be done. It’s a command that needs to be followed. Not later, but now. Why? Because if we don’t stand fast, the end result will be more than terrible. If we allow ourselves to be moved, we’ll drift away from the God who loves us.

I’m not a mind reader or anything like that, but I bet as you read these words, the face of some people pops up in your memory. People who seemed to have it all together and then lost it all. They had life by the tail, but then something made their world just crumble into a million pieces.

I’m thinking of a friend who has a beautiful and happy family. They live in a large home in a private, gated community. Their prosperous business had multiple offices. They were a well-known speaker and author on their specialty. But over a few months, they didn’t stand firm. They let down their guard and lost everything.

There will come a time when a fork in the road will be in front of us. To stand firm or not. To remain committed to the God who died for us, or to do our own thing. And like the prodigal son who did their own thing, we’ll wind up penniless, dumpster diving for food, and all alone (Luke 14-16).

Yes, the three steps are important. And remaining steadfast can keep us from danger and failure. But what’s the motivation? Why do these things? Then answer, the power, and the motivation are true grace. This is the kind of grace that we see in and through Jesus as he comes to earth for us. Not because we’ve earned it, but because of who he is and his deep desire to rescue us.

God’s true grace is where we need to be standing. He alone provides free and full forgiveness. And once we receive him and his true grace, everything changes. Maybe not all at once, but change starts. We can rest in his righteousness (Romans 5:1,2) instead of trying and failing to be good enough. And when we fail and fall, there is full forgiveness, and it makes us clean again(1 John 1:9). Isn’t that the kind of God we so desperately want and need? A Heavenly Father who seeks and saves the lost. Now that’s true grace that calls to you and me. Today is the day to respond to his true grace.

Noodling Questions

[1] Luke 14-16

[2] Romans 5:1,2

Written by Chet Gladkowski

Purchase Chet’s book Hope is the Key: Living Through God’s Superpower here.

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Grandfather Magazine

Featured Image by Niklas Hamann on Unsplash