Grace and Peace: Philippians 1:2
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2
There are tangible benefits to knowing God and walking with God. Two of them are found in this common greeting Paul often used in opening his letters.
The first benefit is living in the grace of God. Many years ago God helped me understand daily grace verses redemptive grace.
Redemptive grace relates to salvation. This is often defined as “unmerited favor” or “undeserved kindness.” We do not deserve what Jesus did for us on the cross. Salvation is not earned by works, it is a gift of God based on simple faith in Christ. (See Ephesians 2:8-9)
But, how does grace relate to daily living for the Christian? I look at daily grace as “God’s divine enablement or power made available to help me do what in and of myself I otherwise would not or could not do!”
Grace lifts me beyond my own strength and resources. It is connected to the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. Grace means i can live moment by moment in God’s favor and power. I both consciously and subconsciously embrace this truth.
The second benefit is lining in the peace of God. The third fruit of the Spirit is “peace.” Listen carefully, being in relationship with the God of peace means I have constant access to the peace of God.
I believe there is an umbilical cord in the born-again human spirit that is connected to God. The fallen human flesh and soul are plagued with fear, guilt, condemnation and even despair. But despite our outward circumstances, God wants to pour His peace into our lives through His Spirit.
There is a simple verse in Colossians 3:15 that illustrates this concept. It says; “15) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” If you know Jesus and are a child of God, His peace is always present. Why? Because the Holy Spirit abides in us.
Our only responsibility is to “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.” That means we need to pull our flesh and soul off the inner throne and let our renewed spirit rule. This is the process of learning how to walk in the spirit/Spirit.
The early believers lived in the reality of these two benefits. They actually greeted each other with these truths. They opened each conversation with the reminder of these two benefits of knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord. They lived in God’s presence, favor, power and peace.
Part of Christian growth and maturity is learning to embrace and walk daily in grace and peace. Never cut this umbilical cord to God. These are basic provisions for every believer, but as Colossians 3:15 says, you need to “let them rule in your heart!”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2
There are tangible benefits to knowing God and walking with God. Two of them are found in this common greeting Paul often used in opening his letters.
The first benefit is living in the grace of God. Many years ago God helped me understand daily grace verses redemptive grace.
Redemptive grace relates to salvation. This is often defined as “unmerited favor” or “undeserved kindness.” We do not deserve what Jesus did for us on the cross. Salvation is not earned by works, it is a gift of God based on simple faith in Christ. (See Ephesians 2:8-9)
But, how does grace relate to daily living for the Christian? I look at daily grace as “God’s divine enablement or power made available to help me do what in and of myself I otherwise would not or could not do!”
Grace lifts me beyond my own strength and resources. It is connected to the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. Grace means i can live moment by moment in God’s favor and power. I both consciously and subconsciously embrace this truth.
The second benefit is lining in the peace of God. The third fruit of the Spirit is “peace.” Listen carefully, being in relationship with the God of peace means I have constant access to the peace of God.
I believe there is an umbilical cord in the born-again human spirit that is connected to God. The fallen human flesh and soul are plagued with fear, guilt, condemnation and even despair. But despite our outward circumstances, God wants to pour His peace into our lives through His Spirit.
There is a simple verse in Colossians 3:15 that illustrates this concept. It says; “15) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” If you know Jesus and are a child of God, His peace is always present. Why? Because the Holy Spirit abides in us.
Our only responsibility is to “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.” That means we need to pull our flesh and soul off the inner throne and let our renewed spirit rule. This is the process of learning how to walk in the spirit/Spirit.
The early believers lived in the reality of these two benefits. They actually greeted each other with these truths. They opened each conversation with the reminder of these two benefits of knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord. They lived in God’s presence, favor, power and peace.
Part of Christian growth and maturity is learning to embrace and walk daily in grace and peace. Never cut this umbilical cord to God. These are basic provisions for every believer, but as Colossians 3:15 says, you need to “let them rule in your heart!”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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