Young People's Group

Grace and Peace

by Mitchell Tan
May 16, 2018

GREETINGS – STANDARD VERSUS SPECIAL

Greeting each other in a letter is standard courtesy. The normal Jewish greeting is the word “shalom” which means “peace”. The apostle Paul extended this greeting in terms of meaning and depth. He made it into something special.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:2

1. REGARD FOR GOD AND THE LORD JESUS

There was high regard with reference to God and the Lord Jesus in his greeting.

A. GOD AS OUR FATHER

Paul saw God as his heavenly Father. He is the Father of all born-again Christians. We are all meant to be children of God (Philippians 2:15). There should be this Father and son relationship.

B. JESUS CHRIST AS LORD

He also saw Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. It was the Lord Jesus who had called him to be both a minister and a witness for him (Acts 26:16). Jesus was Lord in his life.

2. SENSE OF EQUALITY

The greeting also denotes the idea of equality between God the Father and the Lord Jesus. Both are able to give grace and peace to the Philippians. There is the grace that is from God the Father. There is also grace from the Lord Jesus Christ. Very often, the Jews tend to see God as the source of all grace. Paul was introducing a profound idea of who the Lord Jesus is. He is also part of the tribune Godhead (Colossians 2:9). The Lord Jesus is to be seen as a regent King over all the earth. He is no way lesser in anything compared to the Father. Christ is greatly associated with the Father and is equal in essence. Grace and peace come from both the Lord God and the Lord Jesus.

3. GRACE AND COMPLETE PEACE GO TOGETHER

It is through the grace of God that we can have peace.

A. POSITIONAL PEACE

When we are saved through faith, we are positionally at peace with God. Our sins are forgiven in Christ. His wrath is no longer upon us. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus (Romans 5:1-2). We have access into this grace by which we stand.

B. PERSONAL PEACE

More than just having positional peace, we can have personal peace in God. When we take the time to pray with thanksgiving, we can find the peace of God that passes all understanding. This peace will fill our heart and mind (Philippians 4:7).

C. PERSISTING PEACE

This peace that we have in the Lord through grace is something that can persist within us. It is something that can be long-lasting. Our part is to seek to walk with the Lord and to do His will. Let’s seek to have this grace from the Lord God and the Lord Jesus that we may have deep peace always.

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