Today's Scripture:
Philippians 1:2
Grace and peace to you
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today's Thought:
Did you know that the majority of the New Testament letters
begin with a common greeting? They do
and it goes like this: Grace and peace to
you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. It's the common refrain of the New
Testament. Open up to almost any New
Testament letter and those are among the first words.
Grace had become so treasured that people would greet one
another with it. It was the "Hello,"
"Hey," and "Howdy" of the New Testament world.
- Before I tell you anything else I want to remind you about grace
- We can’t forget grace.
- Nothing else will really makes sense unless evaluated in the light of grace.
Grace is indispensable in comprehending the Christian life,
so before any of these God-inspired authors reprove, rebuke, or exhort they
remind their readers that we first have to put on our grace glasses - for only
then can we see clearly.
Most of these New Testament letters are challenges to
Christians to live the God-honoring lives we were called to live, and most of
these challenges are daunting. We are
called to serve. We are called to love
(even to love those who hate us). We are
called to endure through difficulties.
We are to live cross-bearing lives. This call is beyond us if we are not immersed
in grace. Without grace the burden
becomes too heavy and we will be crushed by the weight. Without grace the pressure gets too high and
we will implode from the stress.
Our Christian lives can only be lived out powered by
grace. When the weight becomes
unbearable and the pressure becomes intolerable greet that challenge with the
word - Grace. There's always a
reservoir for us to draw from - God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today's Prayer:
Graceful God, help us to greet each day with grace. Help us to greet each challenge with the
mighty power of your grace. May we
understand our call in light of the grace we have received and always be aware
that your grace is always sufficient.
Thank you for greeting us with grace.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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