Grace, Peace, Mercy, and Comfort
You Cannot Give What You Have Not Received
SCRIPTURE:
2 Corinthians 1:2-4 NKJV - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
OBSERVATION:
In the opening of the book of Second Corinthians, Paul uses his standard greeting. Grace and peace appear in all 13 of his letters. Yet each time he says it, there remains a deep sense of gratitude and thankfulness. It was not just a phrase that Paul would say, but a TRUTH he would live out daily.
We cannot have the peace of God or peace with God without grace. We cannot know the grace of God without first experiencing both the peace of God and peace with God.
Think about this for a moment. Paul says, “We have received “Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’” If you really dive into this, you understand that we, by nature, are not children of God. We are not by birth but by adoption; not by nature but by election; not by right but by redemption. It is only through the Work of Jesus – Grace and Peace!
Not only is God the Father of Jesus, but also the Father of Mercy. Mercy is simply not receiving what we deserve. Through Jesus, we have been given grace, peace, and mercy. All of this comes from God.
What does this tell us about God? His nature, His very essence and character, is grace, peace, and mercy. If that were not enough, Paul reminds us of God's comfort.
He is not merely a comfort but the source and embodiment of all comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:2-4 NKJV - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
OBSERVATION:
In the opening of the book of Second Corinthians, Paul uses his standard greeting. Grace and peace appear in all 13 of his letters. Yet each time he says it, there remains a deep sense of gratitude and thankfulness. It was not just a phrase that Paul would say, but a TRUTH he would live out daily.
We cannot have the peace of God or peace with God without grace. We cannot know the grace of God without first experiencing both the peace of God and peace with God.
Think about this for a moment. Paul says, “We have received “Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’” If you really dive into this, you understand that we, by nature, are not children of God. We are not by birth but by adoption; not by nature but by election; not by right but by redemption. It is only through the Work of Jesus – Grace and Peace!
Not only is God the Father of Jesus, but also the Father of Mercy. Mercy is simply not receiving what we deserve. Through Jesus, we have been given grace, peace, and mercy. All of this comes from God.
What does this tell us about God? His nature, His very essence and character, is grace, peace, and mercy. If that were not enough, Paul reminds us of God's comfort.
He is not merely a comfort but the source and embodiment of all comfort.
The words all comfort in this passage come from the ancient Greek word paraklesis. The idea behind this word for comfort in the New Testament is always more than soothing sympathy. It has the idea of strengthening, of helping, of making strong. – David Guzik.
Our Father is truly amazing. He has granted us peace, grace, mercy, and comfort.
APPLICATION:
Paul brings home the point of his greeting. That we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Have you received God’s grace, peace, mercy, and comfort? If not, how can you offer comfort to those in need? We must first receive before we can give.
Do you have peace, live in grace, and walk daily in His mercy? Have you experienced His comfort? If you cannot answer “Yes!” what are you waiting for? Receive them today! They are freely given; all we need to do is receive. Get under the fountain where blessings pour out. Come to Jesus and be refreshed today.
The world longs for peace, grace, mercy, and comfort. We CANNOT share them unless we first experience them. Live in His comfort today!
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for Your grace, peace, and mercy! Truly, I do not deserve any of them, yet I find great comfort in knowing that this is who You are. Your very character and essence. Thank You for being a God of ALL comfort. May I comfort others with the truth of the Gospel today.
APPLICATION:
Paul brings home the point of his greeting. That we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Have you received God’s grace, peace, mercy, and comfort? If not, how can you offer comfort to those in need? We must first receive before we can give.
Do you have peace, live in grace, and walk daily in His mercy? Have you experienced His comfort? If you cannot answer “Yes!” what are you waiting for? Receive them today! They are freely given; all we need to do is receive. Get under the fountain where blessings pour out. Come to Jesus and be refreshed today.
The world longs for peace, grace, mercy, and comfort. We CANNOT share them unless we first experience them. Live in His comfort today!
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for Your grace, peace, and mercy! Truly, I do not deserve any of them, yet I find great comfort in knowing that this is who You are. Your very character and essence. Thank You for being a God of ALL comfort. May I comfort others with the truth of the Gospel today.
God's grace, peace, mercy, and comfort aren't just gifts for us to enjoy — they're the very things He equips us to pour into others who are hurting.
Posted in 08 - 2 Corinthians
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