Philippians 4:23 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Paul’s benedictory closing reflects his prayers for the Church at Philippi. In this context, the “Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” is the daily blessings of peace and joy and faith-based hope in our “Lord Jesus Christ”. This blessed “grace” is the summation of “the fruit of the Spirit”, which is the ultimate “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23)! We reach the pinnacle of this blessed “grace” when “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). For, with this blessed “grace” we enjoy a sweet peace and rest and joy that nothing in this present world can match. This blessed “grace” is seen and felt as we walk into the room where the Church has met to worship and we see the lovely greetings, the pleasant smiles, the warm embraces, and our own spirit is lifted up as we hear the Spiritual Singing and the humble prayers and the Preaching of our Lord’s Gospel. May “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”!