Tag: Philemon

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Devotion: charge that to my account

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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Philemon: 10-25

Philemon is a story on providence. Onesimus escaped to Rome and met the great apostle Paul. Paul saved his soul and gave him a new life, a new faith, a new hope, and a new beginning. Reconciled to his old master Philemon and freed from slavery, he served his new master Jesus Christ. 

Philemon 10-25

10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. 14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. 22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Philemon:10-25

Commentary

Paul converted, mentored, and adopted Onesimus as his spiritual godson. Onesimus in Greek means useful. Note the wordplay. The Greek word for useless is “achreston”. The Greek word for useful is “euchreston”. Onesimus, (useful), who was once useless (achreston) to Philemon was now useful (euchestron) to him. 

When he knew that Onesimus ran away from Philemon, he quickly sent Onesimus back to him. He urged Philemon to extend his right hand of fellowship to Onesimus.  

Paul wanted to keep Onesimus but not without Philemon’s blessing. Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ and set him free. In the first-century world, a runaway slave had committed a capital crime. Paul took a risk by sending Onesimus back. Onesimus could face capital punishment. 

Paul told Philemon to charge all of Onesimus’s crimes into his (Paul’s) account reminding him (Philemon) that he owed him (Paul) his soul. Paul emphasised that he hand-wrote this letter. 

Paul urged Philemon to forgive and release Onesimus. Paul requested Philemon to pray for his own release and prepare a guest room for him

Paul was a team player with a personal touch. He sent greetings from Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. Epaphras was also a prisoner in Rome. He pronounced a blessing of grace to Philemon. 

Application

Onesimus ran away from his master. Have you run away from your master Jesus Christ? If you have, you must come back to Him and be useful to Him again, 1 John 1:9. 

No matter what circumstances you may be facing today it will eventually work for good in your favour. You may not see it now but you will see it in the future, Romans 8:28. 

You and I are sinners before a Holy God. We owed a debt of sin to God that we could never repay. Jesus Christ paid for our sin debt 2000 years ago, when He died on the cross. Jesus charged our debt of sin into His account.

According to tradition, Philemon forgave and freed Onesimus and he became a bishop of Ephesus. Onesimus was arrested, tortured, and martyred for his faith.

Jesus Christ forgave us. He restored us to fellowship when we come back to him in repentance.

Romans 6: 23, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord’’.

2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the epistle of Philemon. Thank You for the promise of Romans 8:28. Thank You for the forgiveness of sins, salvation by grace, justification by faith in Christ, sanctification, and the gift of eternal life. We pray for those who have run away from You to return back to You and be useful to You in the kingdom again, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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Devotion: Grace and Peace

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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Setting

Paul wrote 4 prison epistles during his first Roman imprisonment between AD 60-62, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. Nero arrested Paul and put him under house arrest in Rome where he awaited trial. He lived in a house chained to a Roman Pretorian guard 24 hours a day. Epaphras visited Paul with a love gift from the Collosian church. 

Philemon was a wealthy man from Colossae whom Paul converted and mentored in Ephesus. He (Philemon) returned to Colossae and planted the Colossian house church. Onesimus was one of Philemon’s slaves who ran away and escaped to Rome. There, Onesimus met Paul who converted and mentored him. Tychicus accompanied Onesimus to Philemon with this personal letter from Paul, Colossians 4:7-9. Ancient Colossae was a Roman province along the Lycus River valley in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey.

Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him

Acts 28:16

 Philemon: 1-9.

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, 6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.8 Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 

Philemon:1-9

Commentary

Paul mentioned his spiritual godson, Timothy, as his co-worker, in his opening salutation. Paul considered himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ and not Nero. Paul had great insight. He new that it was Jesus Christ and not Nero who put him in prison.  Nero had no power to incarcerate and imprison Paul unless Jesus Christ sanctioned it.

Paul greeted Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus, his co-workers in the gospel. Scholars believed that Apphia was Philemon’s wife and Archippus was Philemon’s son, who was also a pastor of the Colossian house church. The Greek word for grace is “charis”, which means getting what we do not deserve to get. The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom”, which means tranquility. Paul combined the Greek greeting of grace with the Hebrew greeting of peace. Grace and peace come to us from God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace precedes peace. Justification and forgiveness of sin result in triple peace, peace with God, peace from God, and peace of God, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 5:1-2. Paul was a prayer warrior. He wrestled with God in prayer every day, remembering all his friends, and co-workers, by name, and interceding for them. Paul took the time to pray specifically for Philemon.

Paul was encouraged by Philemon’s love for the Lord, love for the saints, and love for the Gospel. The Greek word for saint is “hagios”, which means holy or separated. Christians are saints because they are holy and separated to serve God. Christians are holy people and a royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9.

Paul was refreshed when he remembered the time he spent with Philemon in Ephesus. The Greek word for refreshed is “anapsucho”, which means relief. Paul found joy, encouragement, comfort, and relief in Philemon’s love and faithfulness.

Paul was old by now. Although he had the apostolic authority to command Philemon to free Onesimus, he preferred to be diplomatic.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

1 Peter 2:9

For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church

1 Corinthians 4:17

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

1 Peter 2:9

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:6-7

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God

Romans 5:1-2

Application

Paul was a prayer warrior. Even though in chains, he spent time interceding for everyone. Are you a prayer warrior? Do you pray for all your family, relatives, friends, colleagues, church members, acquaintances, and co-workers, mentioning them by name and interceding for them at a personal level?

Paul rejoiced even though he was in chains. Paul thought about others even though he was incarcerated. He was Christ-centered, and others-centered but never self-centered. Are you Christ-centered, others-centered or self-centered?

Have you experienced the peace from God that transcends all understanding? Have you experienced the triple peace, peace from God, Peace with God, and the peace of God? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to rejoice even when things are not going smoothly in our lives. Help us to be Christ-centered, and others-centered but never be self-centered. Help us to be prayer warriors. Help us to take the time to intercede for our family, friends, and co-workers by name, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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Book: 1, & 2, Thessalonians & Philemon

By Dr. Andrew C S Koh

A Christ centtred, life changing expository commentary, bible study guide, and daily devotion on 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon

Forward by Archbishop Ng Moon Hing

Anglican Archbishop of Southeast Asia

These few Epistles of Apostle Paul addressed the main issues of the churches of his time which is wrong teachings, unholy living, and suffering. He was very systematic and thorough in his teaching and witness. As much as he was firm on having correct theology and truth, he was also very conscious and persistent on the proper conduct and holy living of Christ’s followers, the disciples of Christ. He believed that theology that does not lead to holy living and Christ-liked conduct is useless and worthless. On one hand, he praised the belief of the Thessalonians Christians, especially in their ‘work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope’ in the Lord Jesus Christ, he was also, at the same time, commending them of their imitation of the Lord Jesus Christ and became a model for all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The author of this book has also emphasized that holy living and proper theology must always go hand in hand. The missing of any one part of the equation will only lead to an imbalanced life which will not please and not bring glory to God Almighty.

What people are saying

“A great book to study the scriptures in the Bible and gain a better understanding of these lessons. It is a great daily devotional and study for all ages. Each lesson has a beautiful prayer. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J Sharmani, Goodreads, Bookbub

“This book speaks of the plan of God at the end times where God’s children will be taken up to meet Christ in the air before Christ’s second return. In answering the concerns of the Thessalonians Christians, Apostle Paul is also telling us today that God has already considered and included all our pains, shortcomings, sufferings, disappointments, mistakes, failures, and rebellions into His master plan so that He can and has started a good work at His Will of a better future for us”

— Archbishop Ng Moon Hing, Anglican Archbishop of Southeast Asia

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Bible Study: verse by verse into the Word, Philemon

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Trailer: 1 & 2, Thessalonians & Philemon

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Review

A great book to study the scriptures in the Bible and gain a better understanding of these lessons. It is a great daily devotional and study for all ages. Each lesson has a beautiful prayer. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers, J Sharmani, Goodreads, and Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars.

Foreword

Archbishop Ng Moon Hing, Anglican Archbishop of Southeast Asia These few Epistles of Apostle Paul addressed the main issues of the churches of his time which is wrong teachings, unholy living, and suffering. He was very systematic and thorough in his teaching and witness. As much as he was firm on having correct theology and truth, he was also very conscious and persistent on the proper conduct and holy living of Christ’s followers, the disciples of Christ. He believed that theology that does not lead to holy living and Christ-liked conduct is useless and worthless. On one hand, he praised the belief of the Thessalonians Christians, especially in their ‘work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope’ in the Lord Jesus Christ, he was also, at the same time, commending them of their imitation of the Lord Jesus Christ and became a model for all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The author of this book has also emphasized that holy living and proper theology must always go hand in hand. The missing of any one part of the equation will only lead to an imbalanced life which will not please and not bring glory to God Almighty. This book speaks of the plan of God at the end times where God’s children will be taken up to meet Christ in the air before Christ’s second return. In answering the concerns of the Thessalonians Christians, Apostle Paul is also telling us today that God has already considered and included all our pains, shortcomings, sufferings, disappointments, mistakes, failures, and rebellions into His master plan so that He can and has started a good work at His Will of a better future for us.

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Philemon, lesson 6

Lesson 6

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we acknowledged that You are Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Rohi, Jehovah Jireh, and Jehovah Nissi. We confessed our sins before You and pray for forgiveness. We pray for You Word to minster to us and enlighten us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philemon: 23-25, Final greetings

VV 23-25, 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Paul had a personal touch. He acknowledged all his co-workers by name. He sent greetings to Philemon from Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, his co-workers in the gospel. Epaphras was also a prisoner with him in the Roman prison.

He pronounced the grace of Christ to Philemon.

Romans 8:28:

According to Christian traditions, Onesimus was freed from slavery and went on to become a bishop of Ephesus. He was arrested, tortured, and beaten to death by the Romans for preaching the gospel. Onesimus was a real person, transformed, and freed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He suffered tremendous persecutions and eventually martyred for his faith in Christ. The epistle of Philemon is a good illustration of Romans 8:28 at work in the life of Onesimus. He was a slave. He committed a capital offence by running away from his master. Though God’s providence, he ran to Rome and met the great apostle Paul. Paul saved his soul, gave him a new life, new faith, new hope, and new beginning. Reconciled to his old master Philemon and freed from slavery, he served his new master Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”.

Application:

The epistle of Philemon taught us that all things worked together for good to Christians. No matter what circumstances we may be facing today it will eventually worked for good in our favour. We may not see it immediately but we will see it in the future. This is a promise that we can claim when we go through difficult times especially now when situations are so unprecedented.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the epistle of Philemon. Thank You for the promise of Romans 8:28. Thank You for for the forgiveness of sins, salvation by grace, justification by faith in Christ, sanctification, and the gift of eternal life. We pray for those who have run away from You to return back to You and be useful to You in the kingdom again, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Philemon, lesson 5

Lesson 5

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we acknowledged that Your are El Ellyon, El Olam, El Roi, ams El Sheddai. We confessed that we are sinners. We pray for the forgiveness of sins, in Jesus name, Amen.

Philemon: 17-22, charge everything into my account

VV 17-19, 17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay, not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.

Paul told Philemon to charge to his account all the criminal offences that Onesimus committed by running away from him unlawfully. Paul highlighted that he wrote this epistle himself. Paul reminded Philemon that he owed him his life because he saved his soul through evangelism. Paul took full responsibility for Onesimus’ debt to Philemon to procure his forgiveness and freedom from Philemon.

VV 20-22, 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Paul drew spiritual strength by being joyful in the Lord. Paul appealed to Philemon to refresh his heart by forgiving and free Onesimus. Paul was confident that Philemon would agree to forgive and free Onesimus. He requested Philemon to prepare a guest room for him so that he could visit him upon release from the prison. Paul requested Philemon to pray for his release from prison.

Application:

We are all sinners before a Holy God. We owed a debt of sin to God that we could never repay. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf to procure our freedom from sin. Jesus appealed to His Father to charge our debt of sin to His account. 2000 years ago, He paid our sin debt by dying on the cross to pay our penalty of sin for us.

Romans 6: 23, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord’’.

2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”.

The epistle of Philemon is a story of forgiveness. According to Catholic tradition, Onesimus was freed from slavery, and became a bishop of Ephesus. Just as Philemon forgave Onesimus, Christ also forgave us. Even though we ran away from Christ, He restored us to fellowship when we came back to him in repentance. Our master, Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy, grace, loving kindness, and faithfulness to us. Thank You for justification, sanctification, salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Philemon, Lesson 4

Lesson 4

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we commit this time to You and pray for You to speak to each one of us according to our unique circumstances. We pray for opened ears, opened eyes, hungry hearts, and obedient spirits, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philemon: 8-16, Paul appealed for Onesimus

VV 8-10, 8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,

Paul considered himself an elderly prisoner of Jesus Christ. Although Paul had the apostolic authority to command Philemon to free Onesimus, yet for love’s sake he preferred to appeal to Philemon instead. Paul considered Onesimus as his spiritual son in the faith. Paul met Onesimus in the Roman prison, evangelized, converted, discipled, mentored, and adopted him as his spiritual godson in the faith.

VV 11-13, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You, therefore, receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

Onesimus is a Greek name that means useful. Here is a wordplay. Greek for unprofitable is “achreston” which means useless. Greek for profitable is “euchreston” which means useful. Onesimus was once useless to Philemon but now he was useful to him. He was transformed, regenerated, born-again, undergone spiritual transformation, or spiritual heart transplant if you like. Paul was sending Onesimus back to his master Philemon. He appealed to Philemon to extend his right hand of fellowship to Onesimus just as he would to Paul.

VV 14-16, 14 But without your consent, I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Although Paul wanted to retain Onesimus as his helper in Rome, he would not do this without Philemon’s consent. Paul appealed to Philemon to receive Onesimus back into his household not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Paul appealed to Philemon to free Onesimus from slavery. In those days, the punishment for a runaway slave when caught was the death penalty. Paul took a risk when he sent Onesimus back to Philemon. If Philemon did not agree to Paul’s appeal, he could have sentenced Onesimus to death.

Application:

Onesimus ran away from his master and Paul had to send him back. Perhaps we may be running away from our master Jesus Christ by not walking with Him. We need to come back to Christ in obedience, in surrender, in faith and be useful to Him again. We can claim the promise of 1 John 1:9, “if you confess your sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness”.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of 1 John 1:9. We acknowledged that You are Almighty God and we are sinners saved by Your grace. Please enable us to return to You and be useful to You in the kingdom, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Philemon , lesson 3

Lesson 3

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom, knowledge, mercy, and grace. We pray for attentiveness and mindfulness. We pray for divine insight to understand scripture. We pray for obedience and faithfulness, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philemon: 4-7, Prayer for Philemon

V 4, I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

Paul prayed consistently, fervently, and persistently to God for Philemon mentioning him by name. Paul was a prayer warrior. He wrestled with the Lord in prayer every day. He remembered all his friends by name and interceded for them according to their needs. Even though Philemon was so far away, he still took the time to pray for him.

VV 5-6, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Paul was very encouraged to hear of Philemon’s love for the Lord and the saints, his faithful and effective evangelistic ministry in Collosae. Greek for saint is “hagios”, which means holy, sanctified, or separated for God. As Christians, we are saints, because we are holy, sanctified, and separated to serve God. We are a holy people and a royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9.

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.

V 7, For we have great joy and consolation in your love because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Paul rejoiced when he remembered Philemon. He was refreshed when he remembered the times that he spent with Philemon in Ephesus. Greek for refreshed is “anapsucho”, which means relief. Even though Paul was under house arrest, he found joy, encouragement, comfort, and relief by Philemon’s love and faithfulness.

Application:

Paul was a great prayer warrior. Even though in chains, he spent times interceding for everyone. We are to emulate Paul to be a prayer warrior. We are to pray for all our immediate family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, church members, acquaintances, etc. mentioning them by name and interceding for them at a personal level.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us. We pray for the transformation of hearts and the renewal of minds. We give You permission to do spiritual heart transplants in us. We pray for renewed perspectives and a balanced worldview, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Philemon, Lesson 2

Lesson 2

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You on bended knees. We pray for wisdom and understand to unlock the truth of Your eternal Word. We pray that You will speak to us through the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Words of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philemon: 1-3, opening salutation and greeting

VV 1-3, 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, the author of Philemon, considered himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, not Rome, not Caesar, and not Nero. Paul included and acknowledged Timothy, his spiritual god-son in his opening salutation and greeting. Paul was a prisoner of Jesus Christ because he was imprisoned according to God’s will and sanctioned by Jesus Christ his Lord and Master. Paul sent greetings to Philemon, his beloved friend, a co-worker in the gospel, and founder of the Colossians house church. Scholars believed that Apphia was Philemon’s wife and Archippus was Philemon’s son and pastor of the Colossians house church. Greek for grace is “charis”, which means getting what we do not deserve to get. Hebrews for peace is “shalom”, which means welfare and tranquility. Paul pronounced grace and peace from God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace always precedes peace. When we are justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we have peace with God, peace from God, and peace of God. The source of grace and peace is God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

1 Corinthians 4:17, “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church’’.

Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”

Philippians 4:6-7, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Application:
When we are justified by grace through faith in Christ, we are reconciled to God. We are no longer in enmity with God and God’s wrath is removed. We can come before God the Father in His throne room of God in heaven with boldness and confidence. We experience peace within us that transcends all understanding, we have access to God and the promise of the glorious heaven in the future.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for justification, sanctification, salvation, eternal life, the promise of heaven, and resurrection in Your second coming. Thank You for giving us the peace that transcends all understandings, in Jesus’ name, Amen.