Comprehensive Analysis of Grace: Receiving Grace vs Taking Grace vs Possessing Grace vs Using Grace vs Applying Grace vs Enjoying Grace
1 Peter 2:19 "It is sweet for a man to endure sorrow and suffer injustice because of his feeling for God."
1 Peter 2:20 "If you endure suffering while doing good, this is sweet to God."
1 Peter 2:21 "To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps."
Aspect of Grace |
Meaning & Characteristics |
Distinctive Features |
Examples & Applications |
Related Scriptures & Interpretation |
Relationship with Other Aspects |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Receiving Grace |
• Opening oneself to receive God's grace • Passive acceptance • Starting point |
• More passive • Foundation for other aspects • Initial reception |
• Receiving salvation • Opening heart in prayer |
• Heb 12:28 "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakeable kingdom..." • Emphasizes receiving grace for serving God |
• Starting point of all grace experiences • Foundation for subsequent aspects |
Taking Grace |
• Actively drawing upon God's grace • Requires faith • Active receiving |
• More active than receiving • Not yet full possession • Requires exercise of faith |
• Drawing strength in difficulties • Taking grace through prayer |
• 1 Pet 2:19 "For this finds favor [grace], if for the sake of conscience..." • Shows proper consciousness toward God |
• Built on receiving • Prepares for possessing |
Possessing Grace |
• Full ownership and control of grace • Requires spiritual maturity |
• Most complete state of ownership • Requires spiritual maturity |
• Standing firm in trials • Fully possessing Christ as life |
• Acts 11:23 "When he came and saw the grace of God..." • Shows grace is visible • Emphasizes lasting possession |
• Deepening of taking • Foundation for using |
Using Grace |
• Practical application in daily life • Actual exercise |
• Emphasis on practical action • Focus on exercise |
• Living out Christ • Practical application in daily life |
• 1 Pet 2:20 "If when you do good and suffer..." • Shows using grace in suffering |
• Implementation of possession • Closely related to application |
Applying Grace |
• Specific application to situations • Concrete implementation |
• Emphasis on specific contexts • Strong targeting |
• Implementation in marriage • Application in specific situations |
• 1 Pet 2:19-21 Complete context: applying grace in work relationships • Emphasizes living out grace |
• Concrete form of using • Preparation for enjoying |
Enjoying Grace |
• Tasting the sweetness of grace • Deep experience and appreciation |
• Emphasis on personal experience • Focus on appreciation |
• Experiencing sweetness in suffering • Enjoying Christ in all environments |
• 1 Pet 2:21 "For to this you were called..." • Links enjoying grace with following Christ |
• Highest level of all aspects • Promotes deeper receiving |
Overall Conclusions
- * Progressive sequence: from receiving → taking → possessing → using → applying → enjoying
- * Mutual complementation: all aspects interdependent
- * Ultimate goal: enjoying Christ as grace in suffering and expressing Him
- * Practical manifestation: expressed in holy living and church meetings
- * Essential characteristic: the processed Triune God for our enjoyment
*Please refer to the 2024 International Thanksgiving Conference
Message Five: Grace in Peter's Epistles - Living the Christian and Church Life under God's Government for God's Economy
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