The Grace Of The Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Corinthians 13:13

The Grace Of The Lord Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 13:13 Christian Standard Bible

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

            The word grace is the Greek word charis and it means grace, good will, favor. Conveys the sense of a gift of kindness and favor given to a person or persons[1]. God’s grace and favor is bestowed on us because of Jesus Christ. The Love of God is poured out on us not because we deserve it, but because of His grace. His very hand is upon our lives when we begin to walk with Jesus Christ. There is nothing that is impossible to Him who believes because the grace of God covers them in all they do.

            The word love is the Greek word agape and it means love. This term means “love” but can also denote ideas such as benevolence or goodwill[2]. God’s good will is poured out on us because He chooses to pour it out. We cannot earn His love for His love is unconditional. It is without conditions. Many times, we are confused about God’s love for us because we base it on what we understand about human love. Often in our relationship with other people we sometimes have to do things to earn their love or remain in their good graces. But it is not so with God. His love is offered freely, and the only thing God calls us to do is to live for Him. Not to earn His love, but because of Jesus Christ we have been set free from the dominion of darkness. We are no longer slaves of sin; we are slaves of righteousness.

            The word fellowship is the Greek word koinonia and it means fellowship, communion, sharing, participation. A term that conveys a sense of commonality, solidarity, and shared responsibility among households or individuals[3]. Because of Jesus Christ we can commune with God. We can spend time in His presence and come to know His heart. Because of Jesus Christ our ability to draw near is solely dependent on what Christ has done and not on what we have done. We have simply responded to the gift of salvation. Forgiveness is offered as a gift, and we can choose to reject or receive. But because of Jesus Christ we have all that we need.

            May we not take for granted what we have today in Jesus Christ. All that we have is based solely on God’s love for us. May we understand the goodness of God and fix our hearts on Jesus Christ. Though we may fail and fail miserably sometimes it doesn’t change the fact that God’s grace covers us, that His love covers us, and that we can still draw near to the throne of grace. All because of our faith in Jesus Christ alone. All that we need is simply found in Jesus.

Prayer

Father thank you today for your grace. Thank you for your love. Thank you for the fellowship we have with you through The Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit lead and guide me this day. Help me to fix my heart and mind on you. Help me to grow into the son or daughter you have called me to be. Father examine my heart and prune from my life anything that would hinder your work. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

[1] Joshua G. Mathews, “Blessing,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[2] R. P. Nettelhorst, “Love,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[3] Derek Leigh Davis, “Assembly, Religious,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).