Grace and peace to you
“1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
As Paul introduces himself, he emphasizes that his apostleship was not achieved through human will or effort but solely through the will of Jesus Christ and God the Father. This introduction holds more than just a personal statement. Paul’s identity shapes the very foundation of his ministry. He is not defined by his abilities or by the opinions of others but by his calling from God.
The same is true for us. The world tries to assign us various identities based on our profession, social status, background, or family circumstances. But in the midst of these, we must first and foremost remember our identity as children of God. We are created and redeemed by God. Our identity is not determined by worldly standards but is firmly rooted in God alone.
Paul goes on to wish grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ to the churches in Galatia. This peace is not just a formal greeting; it is a profound declaration of faith rooted in the Gospel. This peace is granted to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Living in the grace of Jesus Christ brings peace to our lives. This peace is an eternal peace from God that remains unshaken, regardless of our circumstances. The amazing grace of redemption accomplished on the cross by Jesus is the very foundation of our peace.
This morning, let us pray that God’s grace will fill our hardened hearts once again with His abundant mercy, so that our sense of identity in our lives and work is made clear. May this time of prayer lead us to a life that encourages others through the grace we have received.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for calling us today and allowing us to live in the grace and peace of the Gospel. We are grateful that our identity is not based on the standards of this world but on our status as Your children. Help us to live in the peace that comes from remembering that we have been redeemed by Your death and resurrection. May every aspect of our lives reflect Your glory. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.