God’s Grace / Our Grace

As to this salvation,

the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you

made careful searches and inquiries,

seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them

was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves,

but you, in these things which now have been announced to you

through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven

–things into which angels long to look.

1 Peter 1:10-12

All of the Old Testament prophecies point to Jesus. It is His grace that we have been privileged to receive. Where mercy was not getting what we deserved (death), grace is getting what we don’t deserve (forgiveness, eternal life, relationship with God). This grace, when received and understood, is to then be exercised by extending grace to others. The prophets did not see this grace in their time; it was realized through Jesus. We who have received this grace have an even bigger responsibility to extend this grace.

This grace allows us to look beyond our own suffering to the glories that are to come to us. What should be the outcome of our suffering then? Grace. Knowing that our suffering is only momentary, light affliction ( 2 Corinthians 4:17), we should face them with joy and hope for the glories will far outweigh the suffering. Hannah Halydier just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Rowan. Her labor was long and very painful. When she held that little guy in her arms, though, the suffering was worth it! So it will be for those who put their faith in Jesus.