Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.
My Husband, My brother in Christ
Phriday Philippians: Peace
"The overarching theme of this letter is living out the gospel of Jesus Christ aided by the right mindset..."
"...To Paul, the former can be accomplished only by first adopting the latter. This mindset is one that is singularly focused on Christ and the gospel--so much so that the very essence of the Christian life is one that views itself as a mere vessel to be used up and disposed of by and for Christ and the gospel, and at His good pleasure... 1:2 Paul concludes his greeting: Grace to you all, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We should avoid reading too much into what is, after all, a common blessing in the salutations of Paul’s letters. But, as common as it may be, the blessing is (in true Pauline style) as theological as it is subtle. The NIV’s “Grace and peace to you” fails to capture the intended order of “grace” in relation to “peace.” The literal reading above is Paul’s intent, here as well as the other letters in which this greeting occurs (Rom 1:7, 1 Cor 1:3; 2 Cor 1:2; Eph 1:2; Col 1:2; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:2; Phm 1:3). One must first be the recipient of grace before one can possibly have peace; and that is just how the NASB (not to mention the Greek text) has it: It is first grace to you, then—and only then— peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."--Eric Svendsen: Founder and Director of New Testament Research Ministries and a Tutor in New Testament at Greenwich School of Theology
It is intimidating to blog through a book of the Bible. Especially when someone like Mr. Svendson is blogging through the same book with far more exegetical expertise. So bear with my feeble attempts here. He wrote: "We should avoid reading too much into what is, after all, a common blessing in the salutations of Paul’s letters. But, as common as it may be, the blessing is (in true Pauline style) as theological as it is subtle." Last week when I wrote on "grace to you...", I said it was important not to just gloss over this common greeting even though it is common. My desire is never to read too much in to anything... especially the Word of Truth. But my point essentially goes more along with Svenson's statement, "But, as common as it may be, the blessing is (in true Pauline style) as theological as it is subtle."
Svendson wrote: "One must first be the recipient of grace before one can possibly have peace."Here are a list of verses about God's wonderful peace that are worth reading in light of this common greeting. Isaiah 26:3; 66:12; John 14:27; Romans 5:1; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20; 3:15.
God's peace is not at all like the world. It is a peace that comes only through the reconciliation with God made possible through Christ alone. This peace boils down to the ceasing of justifiable hostility with a Holy God because of our sin. He alone is the source of this peace and such peace is the ongoing result of being justified by faith. It is a peace that must rule my heart, evidenced by my words and walk as an ambassador in Christ, extended to others for the sake of His Holy name and true proclamation of His uncompromised Gospel. (breathe... that was a run-on sentence)
Do you have God's peace in your life?Does His peace rule in your life?
Have you allowed difficult circumstances or sin to rob you of this peace?
No matter where we are, let us not grow weary of doing good. Is not God always with His children no matter where they are? Isn't our Lord the Prince of Peace? He is the Author and Finisher of our faith and we are employed as His instruments of grace and peace. No matter what our circumstances may be, we have access to peace and joy through Christ. Not access to a life in this world without tribulation.
I admit, at times I GET SO ANNOYED with people that complain about their life. It is like having to listen to a whining 5 year old that isn't getting his way. But then... I have done that myself at times. And I am thankful for the people that don't tolerate my whining, but point me to Christ in love so that I will not only be content with where the Lord has me, but exude the peace and joy that only He can provide.
By His grace alone... His servant for HIS glory.
Comments
This was a very good post. It's so easy to let difficult circumstances get me down. What it boils down to is acceptance of God's will for one's life.
Posted by: Lynn | August 5, 2006 01:59 PM