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

and peace

“Peace” is the result of grace.  It is the product of grace.  There is no peace apart from grace, whether in initial salvation or in progressive sanctification. 

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

The source of grace is God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace and peace have a double source.  Paul puts Jesus Christ on a par with the Father.  If Jesus Christ were anything less than God, this statement could not be true. 

PRINCIPLE: 

The believer at peace is the believer who understands God’s sovereign care over his life. 

APPLICATION: 

Peace is the right relation with God that comes from grace.  Grace always precedes peace.  Every Christian has peace with God, but very few have the peace of God.  If we recognize God’s sovereign working in our lives, we will experience the peace of God.  We will not fret and fuss about our circumstances.  God’s peace will fortify us against carking, corroding anxiety.   

Is 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Ro 14:17, “…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Ro 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Php 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Anxiety will immobilize us.  We will be afraid to take aggressive steps for the Lord.  We must realize that nothing can touch us unless the Lord puts His initials on it.  If He initials it, then it is His program for our lives.  It will work out for His glory.  His program for us differs from every other believer.  He has a plan for each of us.  If we accept this, we will have internal tranquility in the midst of external turbulence.

Eph 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

The believer who operates in the peace of God can sit down on the inside.  He knows that the sovereign God runs interference for everything that comes into his life.  This gives us the confidence and courage to do the work of God.