March 21 2026

Saturday March 21

Grace and Peace

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Today we are continuing our verse-by-verse study through the book of Philippians. When we look at verse 2, we read this: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul uses this same greeting in all 13 of his epistles in some form or another, mentioning both God’s grace and God’s peace that we can experience when we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is interesting that all of Paul’s epistles also end with at least the mention of grace, because everything in the Christian life begins with God’s grace and ends with God’s grace. We need God’s grace. When Paul first mentions “grace to you” in all his epistles, he is reminding us of what we read in Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Salvation comes because of God’s grace being given to us. We do not deserve God’s unmerited favor—His mercy—but He gives it to us when we humble ourselves and recognize that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves. We are bound one day to face a holy God in judgment. If we do not experience His grace and salvation, we are in terrible trouble.

My friend, the grace of God comes first in our life. But we must also understand that we can only live the Christians life by the grace of God. I like what the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God, I am what I am. His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Paul attributes everything that he accomplished in his Christian life and ministry to the grace of God. And in 2 Corinthians 9:8, he reminds all of us, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

My friend, how we need the grace of God. But it only comes when we submit ourselves to God. James 4:6–7 tells us that when we humble ourselves, God gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud. When we try to do things in our own strength, in our own way, without taking time to make sure we are in a right relationship and fellowship with the Lord, we are going to struggle.

Paul then adds, “grace to you and peace.” Peace is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. Before we knew Christ, the Bible teaches that we were enemies of God. But through Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled to God. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I will never forget February 21, 1971, after I invited Christ to come into my heart—the peace of God and the forgiveness of sins that followed, and the assurance of knowing that I had a right standing before a holy God, filled my soul. There is no peace like the peace that comes into our life when we are reconciled to God through His blood on the cross (Colossians 1:20, 22).

My friend, this peace is not only peace with God; it is the peace of God. It is the peace of God that comes in the middle of our uncertainty. It is the peace that quiets us in the midst of trouble. Grace and peace always come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, this grace and peace are not found in circumstances. They are not found in success. They are not found in possessions. Grace and peace flow from a relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we receive His grace, His peace settles in our hearts. We must be careful not to reject or “fail” the grace of God that He gives us for every circumstance in life (Hebrews 12:14-17). Grace is available to us every day. By the grace of God, Paul said, “I am what I am.” His grace is sufficient. His grace is available. God will give you today what you need if you will, by faith, humble yourself before Him and trust Him.

Where His grace flows, my friend, His peace always follows. That is why Paul begins every epistle with “grace to you and peace.” And where does it come from? It comes “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.