Philippians 4:23 (ESV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul ends all of his letters with a similar ending as above:
See: Rom. 16:24; 1 Cor. 16:23; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 6:24; Col. 4:18; 1 Thess. 5:28; 2 Thess. 3:18; 1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:22;Titus 3:15; Philem. 25
In many of those books he opens the letter with the same way he started Philippians:
Philippians 1:2 (ESV)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In essence, Paul is staying to them, “be energized” by God’s grace in your self. Yet, that doesn’t seem to carry the entire meaning of the text. It is like he is saying “be futile” by God’s grace in your self. But, again, this lacks the real power and meaning of the text. God’s grace is God’s unmerited favor on mankind. When we give grace to others we are giving them something they don’t deserve. Their life style, behavior, last act and/or their mindset is not deserving of the blessing, goodwill and/or gift they are about to get.
We know that we are saved by grace by faith in Christ. But, believers are also sustained, guided, governed, sanctified, comforted, have peace and joy and empowered by God’s grace. Grace is the constant flow of God’s unmerited favor in our life. We can do nothing apart by grace. Our success is not possible by works. It is only by grace through faith. Note:
Romans 11:6 (ESV)
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
We live, breadth, walk, run, struggle, succeed, and/or triumph in God and by God’s grace. God’s grace is not a concept. It is not just a doctrinal word. God’s grace is an active attribute of God fueling, empowering and guaranteeing our triumph in the work He gives us. Read Jonah to see God’s active grace. God called Jonah in grace, disciplined in grace, enabled him in grace, corrected and comforted him in grace. He does the same thing for us. Grace be to you.
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