Peace & Grace

Philippians 1:1-2

Philippians 1:1-2 (NKJV) Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

V1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons…

Paul:

• • Born a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, Pharisee, student of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3)
  • Persecutor of the church (Acts 22:4)
  • Heard the Gospel from Christians and in particular from Stephen (Acts 7:58)
  • Saw the risen Lord Jesus (Acts 22:6-8)
  • Blinded (Acts 22:11)
  • Witnessed to by Ananias (Acts 22:12-16)
  • Was baptized (Acts 22:16)
  • Commissioned by God to be an Apostle/evangelist
  • Wrote 13 letters to the churches that are Scripture. 

Timothy:

• • Born of a gentile man and Jewish woman (Acts 16:1)
  • Believed the Gospel (Acts 16:1)
  • Had a good reputation and witness (Acts 16:2)
  • Was circumcised by Paul as a witness and for safety (Acts 16:3)
  • Traveled with Paul as part of the Apostle’s evangelistic team (Acts 16:3)
  • Was pastor/elder in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3)
  • According to history died as a martyr in Ephesus. 
  • Bondservants are willing, voluntary, life long servants. The Lord Jesus is not a slave owner. Jesus is the Lord of the church (believers). He is King of all kings, Lord of all lords, and King of the universe. As such, He has a kingdom (ruling from Jerusalem during the Millennium), laws (the Law of Christ, which contains over 1,000 rules), worldview, and lifestyle. If we love Him, we will obey Him.

V2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Grace

• • Grace is undeserved blessings from God.
  • Moses was the human servant for giving the Law.
  • Jesus Christ was the servant (child) of God giving grace and truth (John 1:17).
  • God’s grace edifies us and gives us an inheritance (Acts 20:32 and 1 Corinthians 1:4-5). 
  • The gifts of the Spirit are graces given to believers for service (Romans 12:6 and Ephesians 4:7). 
  • The difference between a natural gift/ability and a spiritual one is in the delivery and result from its use.
  • We are to be using these gifts for God’s glory.
  • Our redemption (bought out of slavery to sin and death) and forgiveness of sins are graces given by the Lord Jesus to believers (Ephesians 1:7).
  • God’s everlasting comfort and peace; and the good hope of God’s promises to us is a wonderful grace given to believers (2 Thessalonians 2:16). 
  • God’s holy calling (Matthew 11:28, Revelation 2:20, and Revelation 22:17) to salvation plus His redemption are given us in Jesus Christ (in as the plan of God to enter the corporate election of salvation planned from before Creation began.
  • Pride diminishes His giving of grace; humility increases His giving of grace (James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5).

Peace

• • Peace is rest from and during troubles, worries, fears, persecutions, afflictions, etc. 
  • Peace from God (God’s peace) is like a peace beyond any description and full understanding of any human.
  • Believers have peace with God instead of God’s wrath (Acts 10:36).
  • Because of the ministry of Jesus’s death as the Passover Lamb, we are justified (Romans 8:1) by God and have been given God’s peace (Romans 5:1).
  • Earthly pleasures as food and drink are minimal compared with the blessings of God’s kingdom—righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
  • Believing God (His word is the only source of God’s words available to all (Romans 15:13)).
  • If there is confusion, it is not from God, for God is the author of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
  • We must pray, for God will give us peace. 
  • Worrying is not a sin. No law or rule is mentioned. Some have good reason to worry, yet, it is not good for us. God knows this and wishes for us to not worry. 

What do we do about worrying?

Diversion is a good tactic when worrying. 

• • Consider Philippians 4:6-9.
  • We need to force our mind to think of good things. One woman we know went through the sad experience of finding out her husband had been murdered even in front of two of the children. What did she do to help her? She lay awake one night so decided to name every good thing she could. When she got to 500 she stopped. Extreme perhaps, but this is how God helped her.
  • Ephesians 5:19-20 gives us another diversion—music. Ephesians 5:19-21 (NKJV) “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Note the type of music to sing and listen to.
  • Meditation which is thinking deeply analyzing and drawing out all the meaning and applications from a Bible passage also helps.
    • Consider Thinking on God’s law. It was commanded for Joshua (Joshua 1:8).
    • The Psalmist proclaims that it is his delight to meditate on God’s law (Psalm 1:2).
    • King David wrote that when he couldn’t sleep decided to meditate on God’s word (Psalm 63:6).
    • The Psalmist writes Psalm 77 about his feelings of trouble and abandoned by God, states “Psalms 77:11-12 (LHB) I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also on all your work, and talk of your doings.”
    • In Psalm 119:23, the writer meditates on God’s word after people who slander, mock, and gaslight him.
    • After being wronged by lies, the Psalmist writes Psalms 119:78 (EHV) “Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have wronged me with lies. As for me, I will meditate on your precepts.”
    • When the Psalmist is up at night, he does the same (Psalm 119:148).
    • The Psalmist writes from the depth of his wounded heart: Psalms 143:3-5 (LHB) For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has struck my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I consider the work of your hands.”

Read and study the Scriptures. Meditate on them to learn the riches of His Word.

May grace and peace be yours from God.