GRACE AND PEACE: INSEPARABLE TWINS
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Philippians 1:1-2 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
I was reading recently about twins. One writer had attended a festival for twins and asked about 15 twin pairs the same question, “What’s the best part about being a twin?” The overwhelming answer? “It’s like having a built-in best friend for life.” Scientific evidence suggest that twins enjoy lifelong benefits from having each other.
Why would I open this study on the book of Philippians talking about twins? In the New Testament we see a pair of twins—inseparable and always joined at the hip. Their names? Grace and peace.
Of the 27 books in the New Testament, fifteen have in their introduction—grace and peace paired together. Some have called them the Siamese twins of the New Testament because they are so commonly paired together, particularly by Paul.
Grace (charis) is a word that was used like the Hawaiian word aloha, both in greetings and departures. The word means joy and favor. It is used in the New Testament to describe the Lord’s favor, which He freely extended to give Himself away to people because He wants to bless and be near them.
Peace (shalom) is a term used even to this day. It means peace, a state of harmony and restoration. Scholars use this word to describe the state of the person who knows they are forgiven by God and therefore can rest in the assurance of right relationship with God and are content with their earthly lot, of whatever sort that is.
When these two twins are together, grace will always proceed peace. I don’t think that this is accidental. I believe you cannot truly know the peace of God until you have experienced the grace of God to transform your life. God’s grace, revealed in the Lord Jesus, is the transformation that releases God’s peace into our lives.
As we learn to lean into the grace of God, we discover God’s peace in whole new dimensions.
Take some time to meditate on God’s grace. When was the last time you experienced God’s grace? Where do you need God’s grace today?
As you think on God’s grace you will discover God’s peace. His peace will begin to wash away the anxiety, worry, fear, and negative emotions that steal our peace and joy.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit give me a fresh revelation today of Your grace. Help me to surrender to grace in my life. Help me to be washed anew by Your grace. Then fill me with Your peace. Help me receive Your peace in every area of my life.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”