Ephesians 6:23: Peace, and Love

Ephesians 6:23
[23] Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

These are the closing words from the Apostle Paul to his brothers and sisters in Christ at Ephesus. He gives this beautiful benediction that we are going to look at more closely. Paul has already given Tychicus, as a messenger, to tell them all of the personal details and greetings from the Apostle Paul. Tychicus would share how Paul was being provided for in prison and how much Paul missed all of the people at Ephesus. But, now, in verse 23 and 24 he gives them words of blessing from God.

Peace to the brothers. Where does this peace come from? The end of the verse tells us that it is from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul has been talking about the peace that comes from God, through Jesus Christ, for the last six chapters of this letter. In the first three chapters Paul expounded on how we receive this peace from God. It is by faith, through grace.

Chapters four through six talk about the result of this peace that we have received from God. As a result of having peace with God we now are to have peace one with another. Paul has admonished the Ephesians to make every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). The practical instructions given in the last three chapters have everything to do with not only receiving peace from God, but living out that peace with our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

Continuing in this verse Paul offers love with faith. Again, that love comes from God, through Jesus Christ. Paul was a man who persecuted Christians. He had a heart full of hate towards those who knew Jesus Christ. Now, he is an ambassador for the love of God. He knew first hand what the love of God was all about, and how it could radically transform a life, especially his.

Peace and Love. These are not just esoteric ideas. These are realities that are available, but only from God through the work of Jesus Christ. Celebrate the peace and love we have received by offering it to others.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog