Paul the apostle began this
book to the churches in Galatia by first noting his God given and
Jesus Christ ordained authority to share with them. He also
acknowledged the brethren who were ministering with him as he
conducted the business of God. In chapter one and verse three, Paul
uses a phrase that holds two words that are considered the “Siamese
twins” of the New Testament. They are employed over and over in
Paul's writings, and when we examine them closely we will find the
benefits in this lovely phrase. He wrote:
Grace [be] to you and
peace from God the Father, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ,
“Grace”
or “charis” in the Greek language means “unmerited favor.”
This was the typical Greek greeting for the day. Instead of our
“Hello”, people would say “charis” to one another. Grace or
“charis” has at its base meaning the idea of “beauty”, and
there is a sense of beauty to the idea of grace. There is no work
that a person can do that will earn the favor of God. Typically we
think that if we are good then God likes us, and if we are bad He
does not. Not according to grace. God's grace is extended toward all
who will receive it, and try as we may to elevate ourselves to the
place of His acceptance, God only receives us on the basis of His
work, not ours.
Paul
adds to “grace” by writing, “and peace”. Peace or
“shalom” is the Hebrew word of greeting. Once again rather than
hearing people greet one another with “hello”, they would say
“shalom” or peace. Peace is that restful state of body and mind
that many are seeking. To be without war, safe, secure, and tranquil
is the pursuit of most people. When we are at rest in our minds and
lives, we are aligned with God who has everything within His command.
Notice
too the source of “grace” and “peace”, “from God the
Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Heavenly Father is
the sole commencement of grace. We cannot know the peace from God
until we experience the grace of God. Unless we come to the knowledge
that our minuscule efforts to reach God fall far short of His glory,
we will never experience His grace. God's unmerited favor allows us
to be in a relationship with Him, and when we receive His grace,
peace is the result. This access to His grace has been given by none
other than our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross for
our sins, we gained the ability to be in a relationship with God the
Father. No other work or discipline will ever accomplish that goal.
Only Jesus made a way for us to gain the grace and peace of God, and
it is to Him we are eternally grateful for our salvation.
We are
only beginning this wonderful book, and the lessons are abundant
throughout it. As we examine it together may we all enjoy the nuggets
of truth that are expounded by Paul the apostle, and ask the Lord
Jesus to help us as we discover His desire to fill us with His grace
and peace as we enjoy our relationship with Him.
Next time we will examine
the wonderful work that Jesus did for us on the cross, so read ahead,
and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is
more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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