Grace and Peace

DEVOTION

ROMANS


GRACE AND PEACE
Rom 1:7

7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.


I must first understand what joy and complete truth is within the greeting of suggesting, no implying, no declaring that grace and peace are for those in Rome and also as I accept this word, for me as well.

Grace, the Greek word “charis” which is defined as the divine influence upon our heart and its reflection in our life.

Peace, I think first is the opposite of war, the freedom from the havoc of war. And of course I must internalize this to within my soul, the freedom of war that wages within me, to have peace. Yet this word even carries a deeper, richer implication. The Greek word “eireenee” is defined as the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ and so fearing nothing from God and content with its Earthly lot, of whatsoever that is.

What more in life, this and my eternal life could I ever ask for? This, of course demands I ask myself; have I allowed myself to become distracted by the things and ways of this world? Have I been dulled by this world so I cannot feel His divine influence? Perhaps I might even have been deceived so subversively, I am being influenced by something else. Am I paying too much attention to the loud calls of this world, I cannot hear the still small voice of the Lord? Has my desire for worldly concepts so dulled or clouded me, I am no longer reflecting God to others, to the world?

In addition, do I truly embrace this peace, this contentment with my earthly lot? The world spends extreme amounts of effort to instill within the human spirit the need for more, better, bigger and lots of it. The world uses all possible power to devour its prey, to entice me into not being content with my lot in life. I must be clear and single minded in order to see those traps and avoid them. I must be influenced by my divine creator and I must be content with His plan for me and be so filled with Him, so I am a clear and shining mirror, reflecting Him to the world and reflecting His image, not mine. Lord Help me, polish my soul, so I shine for you.