I’m no cook. Basic, 101, type of stuff is about all I can do. But while I’m no cook . . . I do like food . . . and flavor . . . boy, do I like flavor. Not that unusual for me to hum when I’m chewing on stuff that lights up my taste buds. It’s because I am such a “flavor fan” that I struggle with being a “full figure man”. So, what does a guy who doesn’t cook and who loves to eat do? Well, he is thankful that he can rely on his wife to meet the need . . . praise God! But on those few occasions . . . when I’m left to my own devises . . . and choose not to “menu plan” by digging out pizzeria coupons . . . and decide to cook . . . then my number one way of spicing things up is to add Seasoned Salt . . . you know, that all-in-one stuff. Don’t have to worry about a pinch of this and a bit of that . . . just one jar . . . multiple seasonings . . . and I’m good to go. As I wrap up Peter’s first letter, I’m thinking that God’s grace is kind of like seasoned salt . . . a multi-purpose, all-in-one, God flavoring spice for life.

“I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.” (1Peter 5:12b)

Peter has been writing to “the pilgrims of the Dispersion” . . . believers on the run because of persecution . . . followers of Christ who are suffering for their faith . . . waking up to hardship every morning . . . wondering if it will ever get better . . . wondering if this Christianity thing is really worth it. And Peter pens this letter to encourage them and to bear witness to them that what they have staked their lives on is the true grace of God and they should stand firm in it. Eight times in this letter Peter mentions grace.

He starts the letter by penning his desire that they would know grace in increasing measure (1:2) . . . the grace which was prophesied of old and was to be the basis on which they would know salvation and forgiveness of sins (1:10). They were also to rest their hope fully on the grace that was to be theirs when Christ would be revealed to them (1:13) . . . walking here and now as heirs of the grace of life (3:7) they would fully experience there and then. This “all seasoned flavoring” was also known through the gifting they had been given of which they were to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God (4:10). Also promised is grace for the humble (5:5) . . . Peter revealing that, though He resists the proud, God delights to “season” the humble with His multi-purpose, multi-dimensional grace. For their God is the God of all grace (5:12a) . . . He is the fountain of un-merited favor . . . He is the source of life-giving, life-energizing streams of water intended to flow in the inner man . . . and He who had called them “to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus” would restore them, and confirm their calling, and strengthen them and firmly establish them (5:12b) . . . in grace. Therefore, Peter says, stand firm for this is the true grace upon which you have placed your feet.

Just as my Seasoned Salt is able to add all manner of nuance of flavor to my food, God’s grace is sufficient on so many levels. His amazing grace is sufficient to meet the need of my sin problem. His grace is sufficient for the day before me as He assures me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Php. 4:13) . . . think about that . . . the power of Christ in me . . . now if that isn’t grace . . . if that isn’t some pretty powerful “flavoring” . . . what is? And His grace is what lies in wait for me on that day when I go facedown in the presence of the One who gave Himself for Me . . . if I think I’m experiencing “taste” now, just wait until I’m eating from His table in glory . . . talk about your full-meal deal.

God’s seasoned salt . . . grace on so many levels . . . grace in abundance . . . grace for the day . . . grace for tomorrow . . . grace awaiting me in eternity . . . oh, taste and see that the Lord is good . . . huummm!!!!

For His glory . . . amen?