PHILEMON 1:3

SCRIPTURE

Grace (divine favor free and undeserved; kindness; goodwill; mercy) to you, and peace (quiet; calm; absence of war or hostilities; freedom from quarrels and disagreements; harmonious relations; tranquility), from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Key Point: God as the Father = Origin and creator (The Alpha, the King of Peace), Jesus the Christ = Son of God (The Omega; the Prince of Peace), thus the beginning and end of grace and peace, All that is powerful in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Key Point: Grace and peace is given to us by the acts of love (for God so loved the world) and sacrifice (that he gave his only begotten son).

Thought to Ponder: When we say we love someone is our love rooted in mercy and harmony in spite of all a person does/says that may not be deserving of our goodwill and peace.

Key Point: The author starts off wishing grace and peace to the receiver of this letter, this is how we should greet one and other, praying the divine favor and harmony from the Throne of Heaven.

Thought to Ponder: How easy life would be if we followed this example when interacting with one another. Instead of approaching the next person with animosity and harshness we come before one another praying for the kindness and tranquility of God to be upon them. Just the sheer act of starting a conversation in Godliness can make a very big difference.

Key Point: We don’t have to earn grace, grace is freely given to us. The Throne of Heaven is ready to bestow upon us mercy and kindness because that is who they are in truth.

Key Point: satan dwells and does his dirty work in the realm of earth and in order to escape the harshness of satan that comes with living in the world we must turn to the Throne of Heaven who is all powerful to quiet and subdue the loudness of the demons.

Thought to Ponder: In our life what/who are we turning to find grace and peace?

Key Point: Divine favor and freedom from the harshness of the world comes out of righteousness and righteousness comes from the Throne of Heaven.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, by God's grace toward mankind the birth of Jesus the Christ was the key element in keeping mankind in harmony with the Kingdom of Heaven.

To God Almighty be the glory for the reading, studying and edification of his word in the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.