Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Walking through Ephesians - Day 2

versebyverse | October 11, 2007 20:46

Thought:  To me, the ways of God are really very simple:  His grace and His peace overcome all of our complex troubles.


Question:  What is meant by "grace" and "peace" as given by God?

Scripture:  Ephesians 1:2 (NIV):  "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

In greeting the precious saints (born-again ones) in Ephesus, Paul prays upon them God's grace and peace.  Grace, to me, is all the ways God bends or reaches down to us, giving Himself to us; it is His nature, His attributes, invading our lives.  It is His help and strength, His conviction and Holiness, His forgiveness and mercy, His justice and judgment and much more, condescending into humanity--a humanity that has largely forgotten Him.  Peace, to me, and as defined by Webster, includes the freedom from disturbing thoughts or emotions, an end of all hostilities or points of disagreement resulting in a state of calm and quiet.  The Bible teaches us about the "peace with God" and the "peace of God."  We have peace with God when we are cleansed of the separator, sin, and covered in righteousness, making us "presentable" to Him.  This is only done through the works of Jesus Christ.  Peace with God is our righteous standing, or position, before Him.  Once we have this peace with God, we may receive the peace of God, which, to me, is gifted to us in and through Christ in practical forms on a moment-by-moment basis.  Do we need His peace dealing with people in the work place?  God can impart it there!  Do we need His peace when confronted with discouraging news such as a health crisis?  God can impart it there!

Prayer:  Father, God, I first ask that I may fully understand how to have peace with You through receiving Jesus Christ.  Secondly, I pray that Your peace may be given to me in any and all moments of need, and that I would have faith to believe that You will impart it to my heart from Your heart.  Amen.

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