Grace and Peace

• Philippians 1:1 (NIV84)
• Philippians 1:2 (NIV84)

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We're living in a world that lacks grace and peace. Do you find your co-workers act graciously to you? Is there any peace in the world? Do you find peace in your personal life or are you running from one appointment to the next?

This greeting reminds us of the importance of grace and peace. Paul tells us that they are gifts from God and not something we create ourselves. So, how do we receive these gifts?

Paul gives us the answer in this text. First, he sates that he's a "slave" or "servant" of Christ Jesus. Then, he says these gifts are from the "LORD Jesus Christ." Paul's life attitude and desire was to be a slave of God. As a slave you don't have control over your own life. Your life is ordered by the master. This attitude of dependence and obedience to God is the key to experiencing grace and peace.

Isaiah 48:22 says, "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked." We will never find wholeness and completeness outside of God’s will. God’s grace finds us wherever we are but it’s a transforming grace that brings us in tune with him so we can experience, the joy, pleasantness, and beauty of a relationship with God.

If you want grace and peace from God, take the attitude of a servant who wants to follow his master.

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