What rest looks like 2
Further to yesterday’s reflection on grace. Here’s another little research from The Discovery Bible on the word “peace”.
The apostle Paul always opened his letters with his signature greeting: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.“
Paul tells the Philippian believers: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7, NLT
The word peace 1515/eirēnē (from eirō, “to join, tie together into a whole”) – in the strict sense means wholeness, with all essential parts joined together; peace (God’s gift of wholeness).
For the believer, 1515/eirēnē “God-produced wholeness” is God’s work from start to finish. It increasingly results from receiving faith from the Lord and living that faith out in communion with Him.
In sum, peace (literally “wholeness”) is always the work of the Lord – and distinct from mere “tranquility.”
Each time faith is exercised, the believer grows in God’s approval (righteousness) – which always results in His ever-deepening gift of wholeness (1515/eirēnē).
Peace is more than tranquility. Peace is about God making us whole.
Now, that I’ve shared what Grace and Peace means, let me wish you…
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:2, ESV