“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.
Because –
We are protected by God’s power (v.5)
1Peter 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Who is who? The chosen, those called according to the foreknowledge of God, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, according to His mercy by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord – meaning you live according to His word, and Savior – meaning you recognize your need of Christ’s death on the cross to pay for your sins, then you are not able to claim the security of God’s protection. A personal relationship with Jesus is available to all yet is exclusive to those who humbly accept His grace.
What does it mean to be protected? We are kept, we are watched, we are guarded – in every which way. We are watched in advance and we are guarded from all directions. When looking to God for protection, we will not be overcome by anything that threatens us. Whatever our difficulties, afflictions or sorrows, we are absolutely secure in God. Picture the defense of a castle with turrets pointing in all directions. God’s protection is continuous, not only a defense when danger is seen but born from knowledge of all things that are to come.
Consider how well you are able to protect someone you love. Even with your best efforts, there is absolutely no guarantee you can keep harm from those in your care. I can recount several times that my children got hurt, either physically or by unkind words or actions of others. Bumps, bruises, stitches, broken bones, and broken hearts are part of living in the world. However, nothing is able to change our standing in Christ and the eternal salvation He has granted.
God’s children are protected by the power of God. His power is miraculous in its ability, abundance, intent, strength and wonder.
God’s power is able to accomplish anything. If we understand and believe this, there is never a reason to lose hope. What might seem impossible to us is never beyond the ability of God.
Matthew 19:26 And looking upon [them] Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Luke 18:27 But He said, "The things impossible with men are possible with God."
God’s power is always more than enough. We might be able to muscle our way through some difficulty barely making it ‘by the skin of our teeth’. God’s power is ample, given in quantities that never run out and never fall short.
Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.
Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
God’s power is intentional. God’s power is characterized by purpose. Picture the common fairytale with a wand yielded by an imaginary character. The wand is pointed and sometimes results are what were desired; sometimes the results are a bit of a surprise. This is haphazard power at best. God’s power is given with knowledge; it is deliberate and is performed with a specific intent, His perfect plan.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose.
2Tmothy 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with [me] in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
God’s power has no match in its strength. God has the power to save and the power to forgive sins. He has power over nature and the power to uphold all things by His word. Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a list of details how God manifested His power through those who believed in Him.
Hebrews 11:33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed [acts of] righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Psalm 93:4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. KJV
Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means leave [the guilty] unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
God’s power is full of wonder. Consider His miraculous creation. Consider His marvellous works.
Exodus 15:11 "Who is like Thee among the gods, O LORD? Who is like Thee, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?
Psalm 77:14 Thou art the God who workest wonders; Thou hast made known Thy strength among the peoples.
Daniel 4:3 "How great are His signs, and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.
We are protected by the power of God through faith. Faith is the persuasion, acceptance, and moral conviction of the truthfulness of God. It is reliance upon Christ alone for salvation, the Gospel, assurance, belief and confidence in God.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of [things] hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith in a believer’s heart is bestowed through God’s grace, (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved by grace through faith and we can have confidence that God will keep us in His care.
Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary says God “does not keep us by the mere exertion of power, but He excites faith in our hearts, and makes that the means of keeping us. As long as we have faith in God, and in His promises, we are safe”.
Ours is not only a hopeful faith, it is a certain faith wrought by God’s own power.
For what are we protected? A salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This is our final and ultimate rescue and deliverance. The Teacher’s Commentary states we will see complete victory over the fight in our flesh toward sin and we will witness complete deliverance from trials, persecution and sorrow.
John 10:28-29 and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand.
This is incredible, this is our hope and this is Truth. If you follow Christ, you are secured by His power through faith for salvation.
Are you holding fast to the confidence you have in Christ?
During this time of uncertainty, how is your faith being manifested in your thoughts, actions and words?
“Who are, by the mighty power of God, through the means of their faith wrought in them by the Spirit of God, kept to the full obtaining and fruition of that salvation, which, having been purchased and revealed by Christ, is ready to be consummated in these last days of the world”, Hall’s Explication of Hard Texts.
God will protect those who are His; He will preserve and guard them for Christ’s return. Philippians 1:6 reads, [For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Read this summary found in Philip Doddridge’s N.T. Commentary, “Who, though now surrounded with many apparent dangers, are not left defenseless, but are guarded as in a strong and impregnable garrison, by the almighty power of God, through the continued exercise of that faith which this almighty power wrought in your hearts; and he will still maintain it unto that blessed hour when you shall receive the complete and eternal salvation which is already prepared, and though now kept as under a veil, is to be revealed in its full radiance of glory, in the last time, the grand period, in which all the mysteries of divine Providence shall beautifully terminate.
