Today I was reading in 1 Peter and a phrase right at the beginning just hit me like it never has before.
1 Peter 1:2b says: May God give you MORE and MORE grace AND peace. (emphasis added) Now this isn’t a mind blowing verse here. The Apostle Paul actually opened every one of his books with some form of the statement “May God give you grace and peace.” For some reason though, Peter here, says MORE and MORE! Now, I am in no way saying that this is what Peter meant, but this is what the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart today and I wanted to share it.
“Have you settled?” You might say “settled for what?” Well, I believe that many of us have settled for “just enough” grace to get into heaven, but MORE and MORE grace?…I don’t know about that. Personally, I don’t believe that grace JUST overlooks our sin (forgiveness), I believe grace also gives us POWER through the Holy Spirit to help overcome our sin. I believe grace EMPOWERS us to do what God has asked us to do. I believe grace MOBILIZES us to take risks, to make sacrifices and to step out of our comfort zone. But often, we just want enough grace to forgive us of what we’ve done, not MORE grace to have to do anything about it, or do anything for Him or His Kingdom.
MORE grace might mean greater danger. MORE grace might mean greater sacrifice. MORE grace might mean greater devotion. MORE grace might mean great loss. MORE grace might mean moving. MORE grace might be a multitude of things. I just wonder if we…I often settle for ENOUGH grace? Again, I’m not saying that’s what Peter is after here, it’s just what the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart.
Notice too, he also said “AND peace”. WHEN, not if…but WHEN God gives MORE grace that moves me into an area of greater challenge, of greater sacrifice, or of greater uncomfortablitiy, He ALSO gives me MORE peace to ease my unsettled spirit. God will NEVER move us into a place or position that He will not also ENABLE us to endure. He gives MORE grace to move us further, but also MORE peace to calm our hearts. If God wants to give us MORE grace, I want to be unsettled enough in my current position to receive it.
Unsettled,
Jeff
