… to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
Summary: The value of the offer of “grace and peace” depends entirely on who is making the offer.
When Paul conveys “grace and peace” to the Galatians, and by extension to us, he does so from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Why?
Why doesn’t Paul simply say, “Grace and peace from me to you?”
There is a place deep in the heart of every person where we want to unburden ourselves to someone else. We want to be trusted, and we want to be heard. In a word, we want to be loved.
People who look for this kind of listener in another human are bound to be disappointed. Sometimes, we open up our lives to a perfect stranger on an airplane or in a waiting room because of this. We know we will never see the stranger again. Our secrets are safe because we are anonymous.
With very few exceptions, when we do trust someone we know, it is only a matter of time until we find out they are not who we thought they were. Something happens to signal betrayal. A knowing glance at someone else, a nod, cutting a conversation short. In extreme situations, there is outright betrayal and rejection. A spouse who cheats, an employee who steals, and a child who lies are all examples of betrayal.
If a person is blind to the reality of God, we look for what might be called the God-heart-connection in other people. The God-heart-connection is a deeply profound connection that grounds the heart and provides the comfort and protection known as the “peace of God.”
Paul doesn’t offer “grace and peace” from himself because he, like you and me, is human. He is limited in the grace he can give, and his strength is not sufficient to provide peace.
Only God can provide meaningful grace and peace.
When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, he connects us with the Father through spiritual rebirth (John 3: 5-8). This connection might be strong, or it might be the tiniest thread, but it grows. Each day it grows. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ love us. Their capacity for love is infinitely deeper than any human relationship we will ever encounter.
Application: Accept the grace and peace offered to you by Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Food for Thought: How is God’s peace different than what the world has to offer?
That is a great question. 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” (John 14: 27). His peace is different.
It is not circumstantial, fleeting and disappearing as soon as there is trouble. Rather, it is a peace that surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4: 6 – 7). It is a peace that comes from God, a peace that makes us right with God or at peace with God, and it stands the tests of time.
It is extremely valuable. This peace allows us comfort in the most trying challenges that we face. It is the peace Paul himself no doubt felt while waiting his verdict in prison. And it is a peace available to all in Him if they remain in Him day to day. It is a peace or Shalom that brings wellness to the soul.
Nicely said, Rich!
Great verses and your summation wraps up God’s peace with his hope for humanity; he want to bring wellness to our souls.
How is God’s peace different than what the world has to offer?
God’s peace is a something that is like His love, it can’t be bought and paid for by worldly standards. It’s available and free to whomever seeks it. It can’t be cut or split in half but you can share it with others. God’s peace changes the worst situations to something better. God’s peace will never be fully understood by this world. God’s peace grows according to your relationship with Jesus. It’s something that will keep some up late or early wanting other to be able to find it and experience it because its to hard to explain it.
Tim,
Very well said! I like all your words but this phrase stands out to me as exceptional:
“ It can’t be cut or split in half but you can share it with others.”
So true!
I think Rich and Tim really gave some great thoughts this morning.
Seems like to me that the world’s piece is based on concession, compromise, dividing the whole into little fenced in areas. It is fragile because it depends on mankind staying true to their word. “Staying within the lines.” God’s peace comes from the character of God Himself. He does not “create” peace, He is peace. His will is peace and His Spirit flows outward and gives peace to all those who live by it. There are no “lines” or limits. Peace is in His word and His Word is never broken. The world cannot bring peace to itself, but mankind can pursue the peace that God gives through His grace and the sacrifice of Christ.
1 Peter 3:11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
Chris,
You remind me of a couple of passages:
Leviticus 25:23
“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.”
Haggai 2:8
“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty”
Everything belongs to God. We are tenants, not owners. In that sense there are no “lines” as you point out.
Thanks for sharing this morning. I like your take on this.
12-06-2023, How is God’s peace different than what the world has to offer?
God’s peace is eternal, comes from God, and speaks to, brings peace to our spirits. Man’ s peace, is temporary, comes from this world, and pleases our flesh.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
Thanks Ron!
The idea of contrasting God’s peace with “worldly” peace is revealing, isn’t it? The world doesn’t really offer “peace.” What the world offers is distractions from what we really need.
It is kind of like those old Western movies where the town is a row of buildings that have false fronts on them to make them look like they are bigger than they are. That is the world’s peace — a false front.
Great wrap-up Jeff!
There is no second or third place to the peace of God.
Ron