TEXT: Philippians 1:1-2 (CSB) – “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Are you searching for peace in your life? Is your world in turmoil? Uncertain? Tormented? Confusion? Heartaches? That is sort of a rhetorical question. Anyone alive would answer a definite YES!
Paul here is telling us that we CAN have peace at heart. However, notice the order to truly receive Peace.
He tells us that first, we need GRACE.
Every letter he wrote has this order:
· Rom. 1:7 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
· 1 Cor. 1:3 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
· 2 Cor. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
· Gal. 1:3 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
· Eph. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
· Col. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father”
· 1 Thess. 1:1 – “Grace and peace to you”
· 2 Thess. 1:2 – “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
· 1 Tim. 1:2 – “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
· 2 Tim. 1:2 – “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
· Titus 1:4 – “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”
· Philemon 3 – “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
13 times his letters start this way. Maybe God is trying to make a point.
Peace – true peace – only comes when we have received the Grace of God. So, what is this Grace:
· Getting what we don’t deserve
· God’s unmerited favor
· God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
The world is striving for the end result – without the cause! Peace from God. God is THE cause. We receive; we only know that elusive entity – peace – when God gives it to us. Remember the bumper sticker that read – “NO God, NO Peace; KNOW God, KNOW Peace.” Truth on a narrow strip of vinyl.
Peace is only found in the Savior. Jesus said: “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.” (Jn. 14:27) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. However, take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)
These are troublesome times. These are uncertain, turbulent, confusing, terrifying times that we live in. But, we can have peace. While everything is falling apart – we can be at peace. How?
Through Jesus Christ. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)
The peace of God comes only through Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow we will begin to delve into how Paul instructs us to have Joy in the Midst of Adverse Circumstances.
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