2 Peter 1:2 - May grace and peace be yours in full measure
through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Philippians 1:2 - May God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ give you grace and peace.
Ephesians 1:2 - May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
give you grace and peace.
1 Corinthians 1:3 - May God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul seemed to truly desire grace and peace for the early
believers! (Peter did too!) Looking at what grace and peace really are may help
us to give us an idea of why…
Grace: The word
"grace" in biblical parlance can, like forgiveness, repentance,
regeneration, and salvation, mean something as broad as describing the whole of
God's activity toward man or as narrow as describing one segment of that activity.
An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God
toward man. In the Old Testament…there are examples of man's favor to man, but
the theological concept of importance to us is the grace of God demonstrated
toward man. The term occurs most often in the phrase favor "in your (i.e.,
God's) sight" or "in the eyes of the Lord." This assumes the
notion of God as a watchful master or king, with the one who is finding favor,
a servant, an employee, or perhaps a soldier.
Peace: In
English, the word "peace" conjures up a passive picture, one showing
an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from
internal and external strife. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that
and rests heavily on the Hebrew root slm,
which means "to be complete" or "to be sound." The verb
conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning "to be complete or whole"
or "to live well."
The word also reveals that the Father desires grace and
peace for us and is, in fact, our source!
In the midst of trial, the Lord assured Paul “My grace is
sufficient for you…” And we see the Lord extending His grace to Peter, the
thief on the cross, Mary (who washed Jesus’ feet), the woman caught in adultery,
in the story of the Prodigal Son, and in numerous other circumstances.
John 1:17 - For the law was given by Moses, but grace and
truth came by Jesus Christ.
And Jesus tells us that not only is He the Source of our
peace, but that the peace He gives abides with us so that we need not be
troubled or afraid – so that we may be complete, sound, whole, and thriving.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I
do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid.
Praise God for grace and peace!
No comments:
Post a Comment