Comprehensive Analysis of Grace: Receiving Grace vs Taking Grace vs Possessing Grace vs Using Grace vs Applying Grace vs Enjoying Grace

 

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

l   Progressive sequence: from receiving → taking → possessing → using → applying → enjoying

l   Mutual complementation: all aspects interdependent

l   Ultimate goal: enjoying Christ as grace in suffering and expressing Him

l   Practical manifestation: expressed in holy living and church meetings

l   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