“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
Paul writes to every member of the Christian faith in Philippi and his first message is one of grace and peace. This pairing is a symbiotic pairing. It is not merely two ideas placed side by side, but rather two ideas that flow out of each other. It is important to note that each of these are built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Neither comes without him. He is the glue that holds them together. This is to say that grace without Jesus doesn’t bring peace, nor does peace without Jesus bring grace. But when we accept who he is in our lives, then this grace turns to peace. Elsewhere Paul describes these elements. Grace is intimately linked to confession. It requires that the recipient understand his nature as undeserving. Peace is intimately linked to repentance. It requires that the recipient stop trying to achieve favor with God. If he merely accepts the grace, then he will receive the peace. This careful equilibrium is the crux for all Christian living and so it is no wonder that Paul begins his address by wishing the pairing upon his audience. To truly mature and receive the blessings promised by God, all Christians need to allow these two exist in healthy doses and in every circumstance that they encounter.
JOSH McGARY. COM 