Grace, as presented in the Bible, is often described as God's unmerited favor, His free and abundant gift of love and salvation to humankind. But grace is more than just a passive gift we receive, it is something we are called to abide in, to remain steadfastly connected to, and to experience continually as we journey through life. The concept of abiding in God's grace encompasses both the initial moment of salvation and the ongoing process of sanctification, where we grow in holiness, faith, and reliance on God's power.
This article will examine what it means to abide in God's grace, using two significant biblical figures Peter and Moses to illustrate this transformative process. Both men had remarkable experiences with God, accompanied by moments of weakness, failure, and redemption. Through their lives, we gain a clearer understanding of how God's grace is not only the foundation of our relationship with Him but also the sustaining force that enables us to fulfil His purpose, even if we are not satisfied.
What is God’s Grace?
Grace is essential to the Christian message. It is the core of God's redemptive work in Christ and how believers can live holy lives. The Apostle Paul wrote In Ephesians 2 we are saved by grace.
“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV.
This verse underlines that grace is God's initiative and not something we earn. It is purely a gift, given freely out of God's love for humanity. But grace is not just for salvation; it is also the power that sustains and transforms us.
According to 2nd Corinthians 12:9, Paul speaks about his own experience of weakness and grace:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9.ESV
God's grace does not simply forgive our sins; it empowers us to live victoriously in the face of our difficulties and weaknesses. As we journey to the lives of Peter and Moses, we will discover how this divine grace shaped their lives, transforming them from broken men into vessels of God's glory.
A Life Transformed by Grace
1. Peter's Calling: Grace Amid Imperfection
Peter, originally called Simon, was an ordinary fisherman when Jesus invited him into a radically new life. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus calling Peter and his brother Andrew:
“And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:19-20, ESV.
The grace of Jesus is evident here, as Peter, a typical fisherman, was chosen to become one of the foundational leaders of the early church. Peter had no qualifications or merits that warranted such a calling. This is the essence of grace: God chooses us, not because we are worthy, but because He is loving and gracious.
Peter’s journey with Jesus would be filled with moments where his flaws were on full display, yet grace continued to transform him. From the very beginning, Peter showed an impulsive nature, yet Jesus persisted in His grace-filled investment in Peter’s life.
2. Peter’s Denial: Grace During Failure
One of the most profound demonstrations of God's grace in Peter's life came in the wake of his most significant failure. During the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, even though he had previously declared his undying loyalty to Him: "While Peter's calling was marked by grace, his journey was also filled with challenges and failure, as seen in his denial of Christ."
“Peter said to him, ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!’ And all the disciples said the same.” Matthew 26:35, ESV.
Despite this bold statement, when the moment of testing came, Peter's fear was overshadowed. After Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him three times, just as Jesus had predicted:
“And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:74-75, ESV.
Peter’s failure was devastating. He had walked with Jesus for three years, witnessed miracles, and proclaimed Jesus as the Christ. Yet, in the moment of testing, he faltered. But this is where grace intervenes powerfully. After His resurrection, Jesus graciously sought out Peter to restore him. In John 21, Jesus three times asked Peter, “Do you love me?”, giving Peter the chance to reaffirm his commitment and be restored in the very area where he had failed.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:17, ESV.
Jesus’ grace not only forgave Peter but also reinstated him to a position of leadership. Jesus didn’t just pardon Peter’s sin; He redeemed it. "In this heartbreaking moment, Peter came face-to-face with his weakness, only to be lifted by Christ's unwavering grace." This teaches us that abiding in grace means trusting that God can take even our greatest failures and use them for His glory.
3. Peter’s Empowerment: Grace Amid Ministry
After Jesus ascended to heaven, Peter played a crucial role in the early church. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel with boldness, and about 3,000 people came to faith (Acts 2:41). "Peter, once fearful, now boldly proclaimed Jesus as the risen Lord, an undeniable testament to God's transformative grace."
In his letters, Peter later reflects on the role of grace in the believer’s life:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace… whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” 1st Peter 4:10-11, ESV.
Peter had learned through his own experiences of failure, restoration, and ministry that everything we do is a result of God’s grace. He encourages believers to serve in the strength that God provides, recognizing that it is by God’s grace that we can fulfil the calling He places on our lives.
A Life Shaped by Grace
1. Moses’ Calling: Grace Amid Weakness
Moses’ story begins in a context of grace. He was born into a Hebrew family during a time when Pharaoh had ordered the death of all Hebrew male babies. Yet, by God's grace, Moses’ life was spared, and he was raised in the palace of Pharaoh (Exodus 2). This early act of divine grace was the first in a series of interventions that would mark Moses' life.
Moses’ calling came much later after he had fled Egypt and was living as a shepherd in the wilderness. At the burning bush, God called Moses to return to Egypt to lead His people out of slavery. Moses, however, felt inadequate for the task:
“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’” Exodus 3:11, ESV.
Moses doubted his abilities, highlighting his weaknesses, particularly his lack of eloquence:
“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’” Exodus 4:10, ESV.
God’s response to Moses’ self-doubt was a demonstration of grace:
“Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.’” Exodus 4:11-12, ESV.
God’s grace covered Moses' inadequacies. He didn’t choose Moses because of his eloquence or leadership skills but because of His sovereign grace. God promised to be with Moses, equipping him for the mission He had called him to. This teaches us that abiding in grace often means stepping into roles and responsibilities we feel unqualified for, trusting that God’s grace will empower us to accomplish His will.
2. Moses’ Leadership: Grace Amid Challenges
Leading the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness was a monumental task filled with challenges. The people frequently complained, doubted God’s provision, and even rebelled against Moses' leadership. In these difficult moments, Moses relied heavily on God’s grace to lead the people.
One of the most significant moments of intercession came after the Israelites worshipped the golden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32). God was ready to destroy the people for their disobedience, but Moses interceded on their behalf:
“But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, ‘O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?’” Exodus 32:11, ESV.
In response to Moses' prayer, God relented. This moment illustrates not only Moses' deep connection with God but also God’s abundant grace, which forgave and restored the people despite their sins.
Later, when God threatened to withdraw His presence from the Israelites, Moses again interceded, demonstrating his complete reliance on God’s grace:
“Moses said to him, ‘If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.’” Exodus 33:15, ESV.
Moses understood that without God's presence, and His grace, the journey would be futile. Abiding in grace, for Moses, meant recognizing that every step of leadership, every decision, and every success depended entirely on God’s ongoing favor and presence
3. Moses’ Failure and God’s Grace
Like Peter, Moses was not without his moments of failure. One significant failure occurred in Numbers 20 when the Israelites were again grumbling about the lack of water. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock, and water would flow from it. However, in frustration, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it as God had commanded. As a result, God told Moses that he would not lead the people into the Promised Land:
“And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’” Numbers 20:12, ESV.
This moment of disobedience was costly for Moses, yet even in his failure, God’s grace was evident. Though Moses would not enter the Promised Land, God graciously allowed him to see it from a distance (Deuteronomy 34:4). Furthermore, Moses’ relationship with God remained close and intimate, as evidenced by the way the Bible describes him:
“And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” Deuteronomy 34:10, ESV.
Moses’ failure did not sever his connection with God’s grace. God continued to walk with him, demonstrating that even in moments of disobedience, His grace is sufficient to restore and renew.
Lessons from the Lives of Peter and Moses on Abiding in Grace
The lives of Peter and Moses offer profound lessons on what it means to abide in God’s grace. Here are some key takeaways:
Grace Chooses the Unqualified: Both Peter and Moses were chosen by God despite their lack of qualifications. Peter was an impulsive fisherman, and Moses was a reluctant leader. Yet, God’s grace equipped and empowered them for the roles He called them to. Abiding in grace means trusting that God’s calling is not based on our merit but on His purpose.
Grace Restores Us After Failure: Both Peter and Moses experienced significant failures in their journeys, yet God’s grace was sufficient to restore them. Peter’s denial and Moses’ disobedience could have disqualified them from leadership, but God’s grace forgave, restored, and continued to use them. Abiding in grace means accepting that our failures are not the end of our story; God’s grace redeems and restores.
Grace Empowers Us for Mission: Neither Peter nor Moses accomplished their missions through their strength. Peter preached boldly and led the early church through the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit, while Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness by relying on God’s presence and guidance. Abiding in grace means recognizing that our strength comes from God alone.
Grace Sustains Us in Trials: Both men faced immense challenges in their leadership. Moses dealt with the constant rebellion of the Israelites, and Peter faced persecution and the pressures of leading a fledgling church. Yet, in the midst of these trials, God’s grace sustained them. Abiding in grace means trusting that God’s presence and favor are with us, even in the hardest moments of life and ministry.
Conclusion
Abiding in God’s grace is not about achieving perfection; it is about recognizing our total dependence on Him. The stories of Peter and Moses reveal that God's grace is sufficient to cover our failures, empower our calling, and sustain us in our trials. Both men experienced the depths of human weakness, yet God’s grace transformed them into leaders who played pivotal roles in His redemptive plan.
For believers today, abiding in grace means continually turning to God in faith, trusting in His presence, and allowing His grace to work in and through us. As we learn to live in the reality of God’s grace, we will experience the fullness of His love, power, and purpose in our lives.
Like Peter and Moses, we may learn to abide in God’s unmerited favor, resting in the knowledge that His grace is sufficient for every challenge we face. In our weakness, God’s strength is perfect, and through His grace, we are transformed into vessels of His glory.
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THIS AND BE BLESSED
This article was written by Dazia Biggs
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