Philippians 1:2 - Grace and Peace

“Grace to you and peace from God ourFather and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul uses this same greeting in all 13of his epistles in some form or another, mentioning both God’s grace and God’speace that we can experience when we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Itis interesting that all of Paul’s epistles also end with at least the mentionof grace, because everything in the Christian life begins with God’s grace andends with God’s grace. We need God’s grace. When Paul first mentions “grace toyou” in all his epistles, he is reminding us of what we read in Ephesians2:8–9: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not ofyourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvationcomes because of God’s grace being given to us. We do not deserve God’sunmerited favor—His mercy—but He gives it to us when we humble ourselves andrecognize that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. We are bound one dayto face a holy God in judgment. If we do not experience His grace andsalvation, we are in terrible trouble. Myfriend, the grace of God comes first in our life. But we must also understandthat we can only live the Christians life by the grace of God. I like what theapostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God, I amwhat I am. His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantlythan they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Paulattributes everything that he accomplished in his Christian life and ministryto the grace of God. And in 2 Corinthians 9:8, he reminds all of us, “God isable to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having allsufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” Myfriend, how we need the grace of God. But it only comes when we submitourselves to God. James 4:6–7 tells us that when we humble ourselves, God givesgrace to the humble, but He resists the proud. When we try to do things in ourown strength, in our own way, without taking time to make sure we are in aright relationship and fellowship with the Lord, we are going to struggle. Paulthen adds, “grace to you and peace.” Peace is one of the greatestblessings of salvation. Before we knew Christ, the Bible teaches that we wereenemies of God. But through Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled to God.Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace withGod through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I will never forget February 21, 1971,after I invited Christ to come into my heart—the peace of God and theforgiveness of sins that followed, and the assurance of knowing that I had aright standing before a holy God, filled my soul. There is no peace like thepeace that comes into our life when we are reconciled to God through His bloodon the cross (Colossians 1:20, 22). Myfriend, this peace is not only peace with God; it is the peace of God. It isthe peace of God that comes in the middle of our uncertainty. It is the peacethat quiets us in the midst of trouble. Grace and peace always come from Godour Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, this grace and peace arenot found in circumstances. They are not found in success. They are not foundin possessions. Grace and peace flow from a relationship with God through ourLord Jesus Christ. Whenwe receive His grace, His peace settles in our hearts. We must be careful notto reject or “fail” the grace of God that He gives us for every circumstance inlife (Hebrews 12:14-17). Grace is available to us every day. By the grace ofGod, Paul said, “I am what I am.” His grace is sufficient. His grace isavailable. God will give you today what you need if you will, by faith, humbleyourself before Him and trust Him. WhereHis grace flows, my friend, His peace always follows. That is why Paul beginsevery epistle with “grace to you and peace.” And where does it comefrom? It comes “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.