Notes on Ephesians Chapter One
AUTHOR: | Oliphant, James H. |
|
2. Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. By "grace" in this expression, the apostle does not refer to the doctrine of grace as saving his people from ruin, but to the Lord’s presence and help in their daily life. The same thought occurs in the exhortation, "Let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably and godly fear." So it is indispensable in the true service of God, and with it there is a sweetness to us that makes his worship the most delightful employment. It becomes the children of God to be constantly seeking this state of the heart and pray that God’ fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Peace with God is equally desirable and dear to the believer. How precious is the experience that we are at peace with "our Father!" When thus at peace, we can easily bear the malice and injustice of men. Nothing on earth can disturb the serenity of mind when Jesus has left his peace, for the peace that abides and arms us against the stings of this world, is from no less a friend than God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
|
