The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.  (2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV)

I will begin a miniseries on the wonderful verse above looking at the three major components of the prayer. Paul prays that three things will be with the believers from God: the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost (or Spirit). It should be obvious this is not an ordinary benediction or closing remarks. He is revealing mysteries to us as He closes!

First, he says the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. This phrase is common in the letters of Paul. How can the grace of the Lord Jesus “be with someone”?  Is grace something that can accompany or be with someone? As I have taught before, grace is truly God’s unmerited favor. However, many of us end here and miss the beauty of grace. God’s favor as used here is not merely His good disposition of heart towards us or good will towards us. What He calls favor is SOMETHING tangible from God that He gives us which brings us joy, gladness and beauty.

A classic example of “grace” often used by Paul is in His opening and closing of peace! When he says grace and peace, he does not mean the grace is different from the peace. The peace is the grace! Think about God’s grace being with you, in all His wisdom, power, joy, peace, prosperity, health, etc! The Apostle said the grace of the Lord Jesus should be with you all!

MEDITATE

Please read this verse again, think about each part of it, and mutter it again and again.   Let it sink deep into your heart.

APPLY THE WORD

Remember that grace comes to you as you KNOW and BELIEVE IN CHRIST. The more of Him you know and believe, the more His grace will flourish in your life. May the grace of the Lord be with you always!

PRAY

 Bless the Lord for the blessing of His grace in Christ. 

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