Galatians 1:3-5

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen”-Galatians 1:3-5

“Grace to you and peace form God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” If you believe that the bible is the inspired word of God then this message should be an incredible encouragement to you. God almighty, who’s eyes are too pure to even look upon evil (Habakkuk 1:13), is offering grace and peace to you! You were brought forth in iniquity, conceived in sin. (Psalms 51:5), and the intent of your heart was only evil from your youth (Genesis 8:21). Yet God is extending to you peace, instead of a declaration of war.Since God is not lenient towards sinners (Psalms 7:11-12, Proverbs 17:15), how is it possible that He is extending peace to us? The answer is in verse 4. Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins! Jesus Christ was absolutely blameless, perfect in the sight God (2nd Corinthians 5:21), yet He bore the penalty for our sins (Isaiah 53:6). He lived the life we should have lived, and died the death we should have died. God credited our sins to Jesus, and His righteousness to us. If we believe in Christ, we are no longer enemies God, but we are reconciled to Him by the death of His son (Romans 5:10).Jesus Christ’s bearing the penalty for our sins not only spared us from the wrath of God, it also made provisions for Him to deliver us from this present evil age. We can have the confidence that if God has begun the work of conforming us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), He will finish it (Philippians 1:6).All of this is due to the will of God the Father. It was the Father’s plan before the foundation of the world that He would send His only Son, that whoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Knowing that it was God’s plan should give us comfort in that the Father was completely satisfied in Christ’s sacrifice. It also means that all the glory belongs to Him forever.

Questions to consider:

Are you living at peace with God, or are you an enemy?

Are you trusting in Jesus Christ as the payment for your sins or are you trusting in you own “goodness”?

Are you being delivered from this present evil age, and conformed to the image to Christ, or are you conforming to the world?

Are you seeking to steal the glory that belongs to God alone?