"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."-- Jesus
"The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life."-- Paul
Return to "Letters of Truth" - - - - - - - - - -
Quick Return Home Page
Return to "Letters of Truth" - - - - - - - - - -
Quick Return Home Page| "Letters of Truth" (1) |
by Ray and Doris Prinzing
April, 1996
MANIFOLD GRACE for manifold trials
Peter writes that "for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
MANIFOLD
temptations (trials)." (1 Peter 1:6). And then he also writes of our being
"good stewards of the MANIFOLD grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10).
Two things-- MANIFOLD TRIALS set over against, or requiring MANIFOLD
GRACE.
Manifold-- the Greek word used here is "poikilos " and means: numerous
and, varied, divers; many-fold. It bespeaks of that which is of every hue
and color, size, quantity, with the emphasis being on diversity more than
just on numbers. Thus Wuest translates the two points as: "many different
kinds of testings," and "the variegated grace of God."
Though only translated twice as "manifold" it is used eight times in the
Scripture as "divers." It is a marvellous thing to contemplate-- that no
matter how diverse the temptations and trials that may befall us, no matter
how variegated and multiplied, yet GRACE faces every test with superabounding
sufficiency, and ultimately secures the victory. As goes the chorus:
"His grace is sufficient for all my need,
His grace is sufficient for all my need,
No matter how great, no matter how small,
His grace is sufficient for them all."
While the context of the verse (1 Peter 4:10), is dealing with our service,
yet we would lend our emphasis to the GRACE FACTOR more than our
being His stewards of that grace. The wonderful truth is that His GRACE
IS MANIFOLD! Phillips reads: "Serve one another with the particular
gifts God has given each of you, as faithful dispensers of the magnificently
varied grace of God." The very diversity of ministries, and the operation
of God's gifts through each of us, reveals again how varied are the graces
of our God. HIS GRACE can flow through each of us, adapted to our
need, corresponding to the work of God in us-- and yet becoming the exact
confirmation which helps another as we share these workings of grace within.
Yet so varied and glorious is HIS GRACE that it takes the WHOLE
BODY to express even in a small measure some of its wonders. And then
"In the ages to come He will shew the exceeding riches of His grace in
His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:7).
While you may consider yourself to be a vessel so different from others,
an individual with little to offer anyone else, for your life is commonplace
and your experiences seem not to be noteworthy-- yet when God has finished
His work of grace in your life, be assured that as you become A DISPLAY
VESSEL OF HIS GRACE, there are others that will identify with, and
need that portion of grace which you alone can share. You may muddle through
the activities of your day-- routine and mundane-- and you may desire much
more of God to satisfy your thirsty heart, and never have a dream, vision,
or brilliant flash of revelation, so you plod along praying, trusting,
and just believing that God will finish in you what He has begun. But beloved
friend, let me assure you, GOD HAS A SPECIAL GRACE THAT MATCHES YOUR
NEEDS, grace that is uniquely fitted to your life-- so that you shall
be found to His glory and praise. AND, in His own time and way,
cause you to bless others who can relate to, and need the confirmation
of your processing.
The Scriptures also tell us that God purposes to reveal through His
church (called out ones), "the manifold wisdom of God." (Eph. 3:10).
Here we have the word "poikilos" prefixed with "polu" meaning "great, many,
much," thus it increases the meaning of "manifold" to "VERY MANIFOLD."
Marked with a great variety of colors, glorious in every way beyond all
description, and as far beyond our finite comprehension as the heavens
are above the earth. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so
are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
(Isa. 55:9). Truly the wisdom of God is beyond our words-- HE is
altogether wonderful! Yet when it comes to our believing and receiving,
how often we limit God to just a certain method of working, and then proceed
to try and fit everybody else into our little mold, and our strait-jacket
doctrine. It is simply amazing how narrow and judgmental we can become.
So it comes as a sweet refreshing to have the holy Spirit focus our attention
on the MANIFOLD grace of God. For however varied our situations
might be, He has a corresponding grace that fits the occasion perfectly.
"Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease among the people. And His fame went throughout
all Syria: and they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with
DIVERS
diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and
those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them."
(Matt. 4 : 23-24). The diseases were manifold, of every description and
kind. Physically, mentally, spiritually, in every realm they were desperately
in need of His grace. But it mattered not how diverse the illness, nor
how long the condition had existed-- THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD was/is
equal to the challenge. Grace walked among them, personified in our Lord!
Mark 1:34 speaks of the same thing-- "He healed many that were sick of
DIVERS diseases, and cast out many devils..."
Likewise Luke gives his account, "When the sun was setting, all they that
had any sick with DIVERS diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His
hands en every one of them, and healed them." (Luke 4:40). Matthew, Mark,
and Luke all had to speak of these "DIVERS diseases." It would be
almost overwhelming to see the multitudes press in with their sick-- every
kink of sickness and disease that could be mentioned, and yet THE MASTER
healed them. No wonder each of these three men had to specially record
the fact. It was not a question of how severe the disease might be nor
even how many afflictions were in one person. Some had manifold problems–
but GRACE was more than equal to the challenge. Manifold grace brought
manifold healing, rebounding to the glory of God. Here was SALVATION–
“spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him;
God also bearing witness, both with signs and wonders, and with DIVERS
MIRACLES, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.”
(Hebrews 2:3-4).
How marvelous-- not only were there manifold diseases, but there
were manifold miracles. The miracles were as variegated as the disease–
and let it be emphasized again and again-- whatever the need, great or
small, natural or spiritual, grace is able to wrap around the situation
and bring forth a victory that superabounds to the glory of God. Yet again
and again it can be said of mankind, as it was of Israel of old, "Yea,
they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel."
(Psalm 78:41).
What is your dis-ease? Our English word literally means: lack of ease,
discomfort, thus, a condition in which bodily comfort is impaired; sickness
or an affliction, etc. Yet, whether it be physical illness, mental fatigue,
a restless spirit, or yet that malady of mankind, boredom, whatever it
is, so that you have a LACK OF EASE-- Grace is greater! Thus the
Psalmist was able to declare, "Who healeth all thy diseases." (Psalm 103:3).
In his translation, Ferrar Fenton gives a beautiful rendering: "And all
my depravities cured." Disease, or dis-ease has reached into every avenue
of our being, body, soul, spirit. The depravity of man is exceedingly great,
for "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who
can know it?" (Jer. 17:9). Nevertheless, because of His MANIFOLD GRACE
all
thy diseases can be cured. Certainly this goes far beyond the pain and
the distress of the physical body. Disease is often rooted in the soul,
or in the spirit. Some root of bitterness, jealousy, envy, unforgiveness--
the list could be expanded manifold-- for these depravities of soul and
spirit cause more DIVERS DISEASES than all the germs and viruses
of our times. The manifold grace of God can deliver us from all "dis-ease
of the heart," and bring us into a realm of peace and rest in Him, for
He is our Salvation!
Then Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:6 of those who are "led away with DIVERS
lusts." Again in Titus 3:3, he writes, "For we ourselves also were sometimes
foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving DIVERS LUSTS AND PLEASURES,
living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." But, praise
God, he writes on that "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward
man hath appeared," so that we are "justified by His grace." (verses 4,
and 7).
Divers lusts and pleasures-- the word "lusts" is the Greek work "epithumia"
and literally means: AN OVER-DESIRE. To set the heart upon, long
for, (be it rightfully, or otherwise.) But the usual thought is an intense
longing for the forbidden, and so it takes on a very negative aspect. While
the word "pleasure" used in this verse is "hedone," bespeaking sensual
living. It is the word from which we get our English "hedonism" which emphasizes
that the sole good in life is gratification of pleasure seeking instincts
and dispositions-- lustful pleasure is its lifestyle.
DIVERS
LUSTS-- lust for power, lust for possessions, lust for finances, a
lust for recognition/fame, or lust for physical things-- food, drink, sex.
It is an OVER-DESIRE that rages like a burning inferno within, driving
one to "go for it" regardless, yea, oblivious of the cost of home, or family,
relationships, personal health, etc. Self-centered, lustfully craving for
more and more. Yet, diverse as these desires/lusts/pleasures might be,
named or unnamed, GOD HAS A GRACE THAT IS ABLE TO TAKE THAT PROPENSITY
and conquer it, and turn all negatives into positives.
"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities."
(Psalm 103:3). We are so prone to magnify the sin, the corruption, the
guilt of mankind. That the cup of iniquity is full and overflowing,
we know, but the more important fact is not the amount of sin, but the
FORGIVENESS which our God gives, and the FACT that "where sin abounds,
grace doth MUCH MORE abound." (Romans 5:20).
GRACE doth much more abound. The absolute certainty of total eradication
of all evil is irrefutable. All sin shall be dealt with, all evil purged
from the universe. Thus, while there is no escape from the wrath of God,
neither is there any escape from His grace-- for at Calvary He demonstrated
how completely He gave Himself for us, IN GRACE that shall embrace
all creation. But then Paul introduces a new dimension, A MUCH MORE
realm. Whatever the offence, His righteousness was MUCH MORE.
And as Paul works his way through the chapter, you come to this 20th verse,
that while sin may abound, "grace doth MUCH MORE ABOUND." Greek
word is "huperperisseuo" and means: to be over and above a certain
number or measure," thus "to superabound." Where sin increased, grace
SUPER ABOUNDED, and then some on top of that! It was not just measure for
measure-- but the MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD came in from all sides,
and in a beautiful operation conquered all.
One
could easily get distressed by all the DEPRAVITIES of malice, envy,
being hateful, etc. all of these negatives that destroy the soul, and cause
everyone around you to be miserable also. But, set over against all these
things, we have THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD. Thus Paul was also able
to write that we are "justified by His grace." GRACE can meet the challenge
of every negative trait and character flaw in man. Justification is far
more than what is usually taught-- it bespeaks of our receiving HIS SINLESS
LIFE.
Justification
is a declaration of NOT GUILTY, of being right, of never having sinned.
It is neither forgiveness nor pardon. While grace can do both-- forgive,
and pardon, yet it also can do MUCH MORE. Forgiveness, of necessity,
is a recognition of guilt, but justification is being declared righteous.
And it certainly does not mean, as is so often taught "just-as-if-I've-never-sinned."
For the clear implication is that we have, but it will be as if we have
not. The word JUSTIFIED does not allow that. It means NEVER BEEN GUILTY
TO BEGIN WITH. True, we can be FORGIVEN/PARDONED for our sins
-- that, too, is an in working of grace, losing us from the old, while
we are being prepared for the new. "In whom we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
(Eph. 1:7). Grace makes it possible that "old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17). But there is ONLY ONE LIFE
that can truly, fully be declared as RIGHTEOUS, and that is God's life,
as revealed through Jesus Christ. Thus GRACE IMPARTS HIS LIFE TO US, a
sin-free life, which becomes ours IN HIM, and then it can be said that
we have a LIFE WITHIN that has never been guilty. "Who knew no sin; that
we might be made (become) the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor. 5:21).
"For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of
God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded
unto many." (Rom. 5:15).
Interesting to observe that while all Christendom will acknowledge that
by one man (Adam), and his offence, death passed upon all men, yet they
cannot accept the glorious fact that MUCH MORE the grace of God
shall abound to all men. Thus they imply that the sin of Adam was greater
than the TRIUMPH OF CHRIST at Calvary. Methinks they know very little
of the manifold grace of God. For the free gift of His righteousness is
not the same as the sin/ offence. One act of disobedience brought us into
condemnation. But by the time the free gift of God came on the scene there
wasn't just one offence, to take care of, but now it must cover manifold
offenses and a multitude of sins. Therefore how much greater is this manifold
grace, able to go beyond all sin and gain the victory, until all shall
have received His life.
No wonder Peter writes that we need to be "good stewards of the manifold
grace of God." We have been very poor stewards of even the message of His
grace. But now, may He help us to freely share whatever grace has worked
in us, that we might bless others with that which has blessed us.
Oh, that we could say with Paul, "I do not frustrate the grace of God."
(Gal. 2:21). Frustrate-- Greek is "atheteo" meaning: to put aside, to belittle,
to think down, despise. Everywhere grace is belittled, while men think
down its accomplishment, and magnify the ability of evil. It is time to
declare the unsearchable riches of His MANIFOLD grace-- that it
is more than equal to every need and requirement.
"Be not carried away with DIVERS AND STRANGE DOCTRINES. For it is
a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats,
which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." (Heb. 13:9).
Now we have another negative realm to be set over against His manifold
grace, and that is the manifold strange doctrines. That the wild winds
of very strange doctrine are blowing, none will deny-- there is a carnal,
perverted, error of doctrine for every proclivity in man-- so that they
can justify every sinful lust and desire, as they make excuses to satisfy
their flesh. But we need not be afraid of these teachings when our heart
is established with grace. The manifold grace of God will hold us strong
in His truth.
Phillips translation puts it in the language of our day. "Do not be swept
off your feet by various peculiar teachings. Spiritual stability depends
on the grace of God, and not on rules of diet-- which after all have not
spiritually benefited those who have made a specialty of that kind of
thing." Amen! And let it be repeated, SPIRITUAL STABILITY DEPENDS ON
THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD, not on self-imposed works. Certainly a proper
diet will keep you healthier, but it won't make you spiritual. God's grace
can guide you in your eating habits, without you making it the paramount
issue of the day. But the divers peculiar teachings of the day delve into
far more insidious things, as they seek to seduce the mind and spirit of
man, and bring them into their control. There are doctrines of angels,
there are doctrines of devils-- anything that will distract you from
holding to the centrality of Christ. There are strange doctrines that
would lead you away from the in working of His cross, with death to self.
There are those who build up a self-image to which they bow in worship.
They think they are more spiritual as they tread on the sacred teachings
of the Word, and use them for self-enhancement. But the manifold grace
of God will answer all of these doctrines-- purging and purifying, until
He alone is exalted.
And now we come to the last time that the word DIVERS (manifold)
is used in the Scripture (apart from the 2 times in Peter's Epistles that
are given as 'manifold' which we used for our text). James writes: "My
brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into DIVERS TEMPTATIONS."
(James 1:2). Praise God, there is manifold grace for manifold temptations!
The word "temptations" comes from the Greek "peirasmos" which refers both
to trials and testings, including solicitations to do evil, in short, to
all that goes to furnish a test of character. The trials may come directly
from God, or may be the result of our own wrong doing. The solicitations
to do evil come from the world, the evil nature, or on rare occasions,
from satan. But God ever retains control-- thus, "Surely the wrath of
man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." (Ps.
75:10). IF HE DOES NOT PURPOSE TO USE IT, and WORK IT INTO GOOD, He restrains
it.
Psalm 95:8 refers to when Israel was "in the day of temptation in the wilderness."
And in Deuteronomy 8:2, they were told that "The Lord thy God led thee
these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee,
to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments,
or no." So, it reads on, God "humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger..."
What a temptation! Yet Grace is manifold, and equal to such a need, and
so He "fed thee with manna..." Grace provides! And to what purpose? "That
He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord." Not only were they
fed, but they were clothed! What a new working of grace, as "Thy raiment
waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years."
When they rebelled against Him, He chastened them! Truly the wilderness
was a place of TESTING-- and a revelation of God's grace! "For no
temptation-- no trial regarded as enticing to sin (no matter how it comes
or where it leads) - has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not
common to man - that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is
beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging
to human experience, and such as man can bear. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL
(to His Word and to His compassionate nature), and He (can be trusted)
not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and
strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He
will always also provide the way out - the means of escape to a landing
place - that you may be capable and strong and powerful patiently to bear
up under it." (1 Cor. 10:13, Amplified). Shout it loud and clear, here
is MANIFOLD GRACE readied to face every trial and testing that might
come your way. God is good:
So, Peter did not write amiss, when He said, "Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: but rejoice..." (1 Peter 4:12-13). These are God-appointed
processings to develop us, and bring forth a mature stature. Yet to think
that we can also REJOICE because of our tests and trials, is one
more testimony of the marvelous undergirding of the manifold grace of God.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (testing): for when He is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love Him." (James 1:12). Endureth-- "hupomeno" and means:
REMAIN
UNDER! No escapism here-- no running away, no squirming out of it--
but by the grace of God we remain focused on Him while He completes His
in working. When he is tried-- that we must be tried, and found approved,
there is no doubt. The figure is used of gold that is assayed for its purity.
Thank
God, because of His INDWELLING RIGHTEOUSNESS, the quality shall be just
as He purposed. It is because of THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD, that it can
be said, "The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold." (Lam. 4:2).
How manifold the grace of God extended unto men,
It goes beyond the words we write, transcending tongue and pen.
There's saving grace-- He doth forgive-- to save us from our sin,
And then impart His righteousness, a new life to begin.
There's keeping grace that He doth give to undergird thy day,
That when there's pressure crowding in, He is thy strength and stay.
There's traveling grace that's measured out according to thy way,
Thy going out, and coming in, are all within His sway.
There's healing grace for every ill, diseases manifold,
And when we're caught in sickness sore, by grace He doth uphold.
There's grace when families go astray, to seek for worldly gain,
And when, in time, it comes to nought, His grace can match the pain.
So many things are manifold, the lusts and pleasures, too,
But grace will share with us His cross, and holiness pursue.
The strangest doctrine winds do blow, and some go with the sail,
But those established by His grace, shall over such prevail.
Though divers trials come thy way, to test to inmost core,
Praise God for this the truth we hear, His grace aboundeth more. Amen!
_________________________________________________
(1)
Prinzing, Ray and Doris "Letters of Truth"
Boise, Idaho 83705, P.O. Box 5822
Back
to Top of Page 
Exit
to Introduction Menu Back
to Prinzing's Library List
Back to Letters of Truth Listing