063. 1PE 5:10. THE SAINTS’ GLORIOUS CALLING
1Pe_5:10. The Saints’ Glorious Calling
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory, by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."’971Pe_5:10.
The epistles addressed to the various churches, or to the Christians scattered abroad, not only contain beautiful statements and illustrations of Christian doc trine, but also the most fervent and benevolent breathings of soul for their happiness and well-being. The apostle Paul gives us several very striking and interesting instances of this; see his prayer for the believing Rom_15:5, Rom_15:13; for the Ephesians, Rom_1:15, and Rom_3:14; for the Thessalonians, Rom_1:3, Rom_1:11, &c.; Rom_2:3-5. The apostle, Peter gives us another example in the text: "But the God of all grace," &c.
In this supplicatory address we have
I. The Author of the Christian Calling.
"The God of all grace."
1. The author is God.
He is the first and the last in all that relates to creation, providence, and grace. All things are of him, and by him, and for him. "The Author and Finisher of faith." The first cause and the great end of all things. Notice,
2. He is the God of all grace.
Grace signifies blessing, excellency, favor undeserved, &c. Now, he is the only fountain of blessing and happiness. Grace of every kind and degree is from him. That in which redemption originated; that which restrains the sinner; that which illuminates, convinces, and converts the soul; that which pardons, keeps, sanctifies &c., the believer. All grace is from God and all grace is in God, essentially, abundantly, unchangeably eternally. All the grace or excellency which is in the creature, originally proceeds from him, so that in every sense he is "the God of all grace." Observe,
II. The Nature of the Christians Calling.
"Who hath called us lo his eternal glory," Observe the gradation: glory’97his glory’97his eternal glory. This calling is,
1. To glory.
The term signifies splendor, riches, dignity, dominion, happiness. The Christian shall be clothed with splendor; Mat_13:43 : possess unsearchable riches; Eph_3:16 : be exalted to celestial dignity; Rev_1:5 : have exalted power and dominion; Psa_49:14; Dan_8:27; Mat_25:23 : and have fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore; Psa_16:11.
2. To his glory.
Which he has prepared, and which he only bestows; which consists in dwelling in his presence, and in enjoying the beatific vision of himself. A ray of his own glory’97a drop from the infinite ocean of his own blessedness.
3. To his eternal glory.
That which is stamped with immutable perpetuity’97"pleasures for evermore." Notice,
III. The Medium of the Christian’s Calling.
"By Christ Jesus." God’s eternal glory is,
1. By the purchase of his blood.
"He hath redeemed us to God by his blood." Obtained eternal redemption for us. Eternal life is in Christ; 1Jn_5:11.
2. By the revelation of his gospel.
Here it is brought to light, manifested, published, offered, &c.
3. By the communication of his Spirit.
This is the saint’s earnest of it Title imparted with it, and meetness by it. Rom_8:16-17
4. By the attraction of his example.
This marks out the way, draws the soul, &c. He is the way to heaven; to obtain eternal glory we must follow him. "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me," &c. "If any man will be my disciple let him follow me."
5. By the efficient aid of his grace.
He gives power to obey the call’97to walk worthy’97to overcome’97and to endure in the end. "Without me ye can do nothing." "By the grace of God I am what I am." "My grace is sufficient for thee. Notice,
IV. The Attainments necessary to the enjoyment of the Christian’s Calling.
1. Perfection.
"Make you perfect." Does not mean absolute perfection; this belongs to God alone. It means perfection of parts, of desire, of aim, and of effort. Growing up into the likeness of the perfect Saviour’97receiving more of the Spirit of the perfect Jehovah’97and becoming more meet for the perfection of heaven.
2. Establishment.
"Stablish you." Fix you on the right foundation. Opposite of indecision, &c.
3. Increasing strength.
Grow from the weakly babe to the stout young man. More able to perform duties, overcome difficulties, make sacrifices, &c. Stronger in faith, and hope, and love, and zeal, &c.
4. Settlement.
"Settle you." Not only establish on a right basis, and give increasing power, but make immoveably firm. Root to strike deeper. Abiding fast, and enduring to the end. Notice,
V. That which must precede its Realization.
"After that ye have suffered awhile." Observe,
1. Sufferings must be endured before we obtain the eternal glory.
They are necessary to conform us to our illustrious head’97to make us fruitful in many of the graces of the Spirit’97and to "work out for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
2. They are limited in their duration.
"Awhile." Soon terminate. Only for a night, then eternal joy shall come in the morning.
Application
1. Let the believer highly prize this high and heavenly calling, walk worthy of it and daily press onwards to obtain it.
2. Let the afflicted Christian be resigned, and rejoice in tribulation, glorify God in the fires, and remember that
"These will make our joys more sweet.
When we to glory go."
3. Allure the sinner by the bright and glorious prospects which are held forth to all who truly repent of sin, and believe the gospel of the Son of God. Yes, God calls item to his "eternal glory;" let them hear, obey, and live.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS