June 21, 2019

BIBLE READING: COLOSSIANS 1

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

GRACE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM CHRIST
2…Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Not only do get grace from God, only God can enable you to give grace to others. You and I must depend upon the Lord every day to enable us to show grace to others like we should. It is not easy at times. We often feel that an individual does not deserve that from us. But again, you and I must remember that we did not deserve grace from the Lord. Because it only came from him, we received it even though we did not deserve it.

PEACE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN CHRIST

Grace and Peace are both free. It is available because of the unmerited favor of God. Many people are looking to things to try to find peace. But as Paul says in this passage, peace comes from God our father and of the Lord Jesus Christ. What are you looking to for peace? What are you trying to do to gain peace? Who are you mad at in your life because they did not bring peace to you? That is an unfair expectation of others.

GRATITUDE SHOULD BE BOUNTIFUL TO CHRIST (3)
3. “We give thanks to God….”

Because we’ve been given grace and peace which we do not deserve, gratitude should abound from us to the Lord for those things.

PRAYER SHOULD BE CONTINUOUS FOR THE CHURCH (3b)
3) “…praying always for you”
Thanksgiving ought to be a part of every prayer; and whatever is the subject of our rejoicing ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. The more grace God gives, the more peace God provides, then the more we pray, and the more we show gratitude. Who was Paul praying for? The saints and faithful brethren. Who do you know in your life that has been faithful to the Lord and has been an example to you? Pray for them today.