Manifold Temptations vs. Manifold Grace
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: —1 Peter 1:6
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. —1 Peter 4:10
In the Peter’s first epistle he uses the word “manifold” twice—Once in reference to temptations and once referring to the grace of God. These two references make an interesting parallel.
The word “manifold” is a combination to two words: “Many” + “fold.” It means “various in kind or quality; numerous; multiplied or complicated.” It indicates a thing of many kinds or having a variety of forms. For example, an automobile engine has an exhaust manifold. It collects the exhaust gases from multiple cylinders into one pipe.
As believers we encounter “manifold temptations”— Temptation comes in all shapes and sizes and from various sources — Sickness… Financial… Family… Persecution… Disasters… Ministry… Satan.
But, as believers we are stewards of “the manifold grace of God” which is more than sufficient to counteract the “manifold temptations” we face.
2 Replies to “Manifold Temptations vs. Manifold Grace”
Oh Praise the Lord Jesus Christ who has redeemed and restored and sealed us into His Body through the Spirit of God, who raised Him from the dead!! And now, the life I now live, [in the Spirit] I live by the faith “of” the Son of God [not even my faith], who loved me and gave His life for me!!! Oh Hallelujah, Oh Hallelujah….for He is worthy of my praise forever more. Raise those hands [look like palms] and shout Hallelujah to the Lamb!! His grace is always sufficient to meet all my needs and wants and heartaches…even those darned old temptations that show up in the many faceted glare of the jerk satan and his ugly, nasty buddies! But I just have to remind the ugly dudes that they have been disarmed [past tense]and toothless [no bite] as I call upon my Daddy and keep on singin’ in the Spirit and makin’ a joyful noise and that is a Grace Filled Life!! I have found that the junk/temptations will come but I only take a glance and don’t camp out there. When I stay camped in the goodness and faithfulness of my Savior in His powerful Grace, I need nothing more even in the junk times of life……….like I tell my grandson, employees, husband, kidz, friends in Christ – – focus, focus, focus, I must do the same………. Blessings to ya’ll in the good life of Grace and give Jesus all the ugh stuff, chew out the sweet good flavor and spit out the junk!! ….Grace that is Greater than ALL our sin………..yeah!!! Whew!!
I call my life in Christ the sizzle & drizzle n ooze ………..bacon and fruit/honey; meat and sweet; satisfied hunger and desert to top it off !! Life more abundant style………yes!! : ) Victory!!
GREATER is HE that is in me than he that is in the world…. That’s CONFIDENCE