TUESDAY August 13, 2024

Do You Have God’s Peace?

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2

Paul would frequently use the words grace and peace in his greetings. Look at a similar greeting to the believers in Rome: To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).

Notice in both books, Philippians and Romans, how Paul used the word grace before the word peace in his greeting. Why did he order these two words that way? The simple answer is that a person cannot receive the peace of God without first receiving the grace of God––His unmerited favor. We do not deserve His grace, but it is freely given to us. Christians are not under the Law of God; they are under the amazing grace of God.

Where does grace come from? It comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. These names are not the Messiah’s first, middle and last names. The Lord is His title. It speaks of the relationship we have with Him and it refers to His position of authority. Jesus is His human name as the incarnate, eternal Son of God. Jesus’ name translates to “Jehoshua” or “Yehoshua” which means “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” Christ is a reference to Him as the Jewish Messiah––“the Anointed One.” Jesus Christ can be properly said, “Jesus the Christ.” He is the One who is still yet to come again (John 14:1-4).

How we need the grace of God in our lives! If we receive His grace, then we can receive his peace. Do you have the peace of God in your life today? If not, receive His free gift of grace: And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:16-17).

The peace of God is first and foremost peace with God; it is the state of affairs in which God, instead of being against us, is for us. No account of God's peace which does not start here can do other than mislead.
~J. I. Packer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!