A BEAUTIFUL BLESSING
With this beautiful benediction, Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s great trinitarian doxology bestowed three powerful blessings of the Godhead upon the believers at Corinth.
These three blessings belong to all those who would believe and receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior:
1) The “grace” (Greek: χάρις, charis) of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is Christ’s free and unmerited favor towards all who would place their faith in Him. This grace is the finished work of Christ dying for our sins, but also the sustaining grace of being kept by Him. Since the Father has given all authority in heaven and earth to Him, receiving and living under this divine favor is to be supremely blessed.
2) The “love” (Greek: ἀγάπη, agape) of God. This is God’s unconditional love and chief attribute. God’s agage love is that which motivated Him to send His Son to die for our sins and redeem us. Receiving and believing in Jesus, we are the recipients of this divine love. And not only that, this love is poured out into our hearts, so that we are able to love others with God’s great unconditional love.
3) The “fellowship” (Greek: κοινωνία, koinonia) of the Spirit. This is the abiding communion of the Spirit living in those of us who have believed in Christ Jesus. Sharing this fellowship of the Spirit, we are able to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful, gentleness, and self-control. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, we are sealed, supported, comforted, empowered, assured, and invigorated to live for God.
May this beautiful blessing be yours today!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, when we consider Your grace and love towards us, we are overcome with wonder and joy. For You are all wonderful to us. That You have invited us into the eternal communion and fellowship of the Godhead is beyond our understanding. Help us to focus our hearts and minds on You today and upon the spiritual blessings You have given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.