September 26, 2015
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:23, 24
23Peace to the brothers and sisters,and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Questions for Reflection:
Often we gloss over the ending to Paul’s letters. The benedictions get treated like nothing more than a “Sincerely, Paul” at the end of the letter. Yet they are filled with good theology and instruction for us. What is Paul’s prayer for the church? What does he want them to have?
What is peace? The Jewish understanding of peace went beyond the absence of conflict to the restoration of all things. As Christians we are called to restore the beauty with which creation began (in fact the term used in Scripture is “agents of reconciliation”). How are you bringing peace in the world around you?
Paul also asks that they may have “love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul has made it abundantly clear throughout the epistle that God has modeled for us how we engage those around us and its with love. How can you love others better today?
Finally, Paul prays for grace. What is grace? Grace goes beyond just being forgiven. Grace goes to receiving something you don’t deserve. Through Christ, we have a new identity, a new purpose, a new hope. May you live today to the fullest knowing the grace that has been given you.