2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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GRACE BE WITH YOU
FRIDAY, JUNE 30
Philippians 4:23
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
“The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all.”
GRACE BE WITH YOU
The epistle began with Paul wishing the Philippians: “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:2). Now, as he ended the epistle, he again wished them “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
While it is true that this is a customary end to many of Paul’s epistles (Rom 16:20, 24; 1 Cor 16:23; 2 Cor 13:14; Gal 6:18; Eph 6:24; Col 4:18; etc.), we must remember that these words are all part of God’s inspired words. They are a most meaningful conclusion to a wonderful epistle and should not be simply glossed over.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is so critical in every believer’s life. It is the goodwill, lovingkindness and divine favour that He extends to us, unworthy as we may be. It is only by the grace of God that we could believe in Him and repent of our sins. By His grace, He has called us unto Himself, and enabled us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. In times of temptation, it is His grace that enables us not to sin; in times of difficulty, it is His grace that is sufficient for us, enabling us to endure and overcome the struggles we face.
It is therefore most fitting that Paul ended his epistles by wishing the grace of Christ to be with his readers. In each letter he wrote, he made many exhortations and encouragements that we need to abide by. By ourselves, we can never hope to obey such instructions, for our natural tendency is to incline towards sin.
That is why it is so important that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. It is something we ought to be praying for continually, both for ourselves and those around us. Without the grace of God, we are helpless. But with the grace of the Lord strengthening us, we can do all things for Christ!
As you reflect and meditate on all that you have learnt through the study of this epistle, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
THOUGHT: “Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus!”
PRAYER: Father, I praise Thee for the grace that Thou hast so lovingly bestowed upon me!