The Benefits of Hoping in the Wonderful Grace of Jesus
We officially celebrated Easter yesterday, and according to the liturgical calendar, we remember Pentecost next. We rejoice over the gift of salvation Jesus’ death provided us, and we anticipate celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit. God graciously gives us these two wondrous gifts that reveal His incomparable grace.
We often talk about grace in Christian circles. We know its meaning: something given that we do not deserve. Plus, we are aware that without grace we have no salvation. Yet, I wonder if we fully understand how marvelous grace is.
Marvelous Grace
God describes to us many facets of grace in His Word.
- We stand in grace. Therefore, we are surrounded by and daily impacted by grace, just as if we stood in snow or an ocean. (Romans 5:2)
- God’s grace is sufficient. No matter what we face, grace enables us to endure. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- Grace breaks sin’s dominion over us. (Romans 6:14)
- Grace is plentiful; we can’t ever extend beyond an allotted amount of grace. (James 4:6)
- Grace helps us when we are struggling, or needy. (Hebrews 4:16)
- Grace forms us and molds us to be who we are. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
- Grace teaches us to say no to sinful desires. Grace also trains us to live godly lives. (Titus 2:11-12)
- Grace works in tandem with truth. (John 1:14)
- Grace not only provides what we need but also challenges us to live a life abundant with good works. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
It’s no wonder so many musicians craft songs declaring God’s grace. Hymns like “Amazing Grace,” “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” and “Come Thou Fount.” In addition, contemporary songs like “Grace Flows Down” by Christy Nockels, “This is Grace” by Phil Wickham, “Your Grace Still Amazes Me” by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, and “I see Grace” by Micah Tyler.
Grace and Hope
I recently discovered a new element of grace. While reading First Peter chapter one, I gravitated toward the following words: “set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Peter gives this focus for our hope in the middle of instructions like prepare your minds, be self-controlled, be obedient and be holy. He reminds us of grace, easing the pressure of his instructions.
Where is Your Hope?
Pause for a moment and think about what you normally set your hope one. I know I often set my hopes on finishing a task so I can relax or go play. Sometimes I set my hope on a vacation, or a conference in the near future, something that will refresh my spirit. And, of course, every morning I place hope in my multiple cups of coffee.
Look at this list of possibilities where people place their hope.
- Achieving or succeeding
- Doing something “great” for God
- Having a large social media following; being an influencer
- Losing weight and/or acquiring a particular look
- Money
- Power
- Expensive looking material things
- Marriage, a significant other
- Children, a family
Set Your Hope on Grace
Peter says to set one’s hope on grace. First of all, when we “set” we are determined to focus on, we are fixated upon. Peter challenges us to anchor all our hope on grace, to rivet our attention on grace.
In the passage in First Peter, Peter talks about grace that is given at the “revelation of Jesus Christ. I believe Peter refers to grace given to us when Jesus returns for His bride. Our hope is set in knowing we have eternity with God and grace assures us of that marvelous someday. And yet, God’s Holy Spirit always reveals Christ to us.
Jesus Revealed
For example, the Spirit reveals new facets of Jesus’ character to me every moment I spend in God’s Word. When I seek His face in desperate prayer, Christ reveals Himself. On days of great joy when my eyes are wide open to the glory of the world He created, my Savior reveals Himself to me. At each revelation, the Spirit provides a new layer of understanding to my grasp of God’s grace.
Basics of Grace
Allow me to remind you of an essential element of grace. Grace fills in the gap that we can never fill. The basic idea of grace is to provide what we can’t gain on our own. We will never be good enough to achieve salvation, so Jesus became our atoning sacrifice. In our daily lives, we can’t maintain an acceptable level of holiness, or even a respectable percentage rate of obedience. We need God to view us with Christ’s grace filling in where we don’t measure up.
The Benefits of Hoping in Grace
Consequently, when we set our hope on grace, we don’t need to fear failure, or disappointing God. We can release striving for a perceived standard. It doesn’t mean we don’t give our best; we give our best out of love for our Lord. It does mean we recognize Jesus always makes up the difference between what we are capable of, and what is needed.
When we anchor our hope in grace, we remove “me” from any and every equation. We release the need to control every detail so that life will be managed in the way we deem ideal. Instead, we focus on Christ and the miraculous ways He makes more of what we offer. We gain freedom to try new things, and take risks, because we are convinced grace is sufficient and plentiful.
When we fixate our hope on grace, we are safe in the knowledge that we are not alone, Jesus is with us. We have assurance of our acceptance. Just like Mary offered what she could do to honor Christ when she anointed Him, grace affirms what we offer God out of love and reverence. We know what we give God will be welcomed and appreciated.
The Blessing of Hoping in Grace
Too often, we hear the world telling us to believe we are enough. We are not. But we do have the abundant grace of Jesus Christ. When we set our hope on grace, we remain aware of our desperate need, while we rejoice in the freedom of guaranteed hope. Our focus becomes Christ with His magnanimous supply of grace and not what we can or cannot do.
Christ reveals Himself to us day by day. He has grace for us to experience in every moment we live. May we set our hope and live freely in holy obedience and glorious joy, now and forever.
Grace Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash
