Ephesians 1:2 (AMP) May grace (God's unmerited favor) and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul often begins his letters with these or similar words, conveying grace and peace to his readers. The Amplified Bible translation above helps in expanding the meaning of those words to us which have become so diluted today.
John MacArthur writes that "Grace is God's great kindness toward those who are undeserving of His favor but who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. It is the fountain and peace is the stream." What a picture, does it depict your life, God's grace flowing through you in the form of peace to others? Think of those words used in the Amplified to describe this peace - harmony, unity and undisturbedness. Don't you want, don't you need more of it in your life, in your current circumstances?
There is a basketball player that changed his last name to "World Peace" and it is on the back of his jersey. It is a lofty goal and desire, but it doesn't come from us, it can only come from God, but peace can flow through us. Billy Graham and Mother Teresa are couple of people that I can think of who have embodied this, and they would point away from themselves as the source and point to the Lord Jesus.
May we do our best to be a channel for His peace.
How I praise Thee, precious Savior,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me,
That I might Thy channel be.
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me,
That I might Thy channel be.
Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power,
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.
But with all Thy wondrous power,
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.
Phil 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. NLT
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Ephesians 1:1-2
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ESV
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