EPHESIANS 6:24

“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.”

Today we don’t use the same greetings and farewells that were used in biblical times. For instance, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:12 to “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” Just try that today here in Tennessee. You would probably get slapped, punches or sued. Culture determines certain behaviors.

Paul uses these words in a lot of his letters. Yesterday, we saw him mention peace and love. In today’s verse, it’s all about grace. What did Paul mean when he said, “Grace be with all…”? Well, grace means getting what you don’t deserve. Paul knew these Ephesians. He had spent a considerable amount of time with them. He wanted to remind them as he signed off this letter that nothing is more important than the grace of God and they can show that by loving their Lord Jesus with all their heart.

APPLICATION

Paul wishes grace on us all if… There’s a condition here. Did you catch that? He said, “with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.” How do you love someone without corruption? Well, the key is in the Greek word used here for “incorruptible.” It means “lacking the very capacity to decay or constitutionally break down.” (HELPS Word studies)

That word is used in 1 Corinthians 15:42 to describe our heavenly bodies. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;” We are to love our Lord with a love that will never break down. That will never perish. How is that possible? Because when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord and live according to His will, His love fills us to overflowing. It is His love reflected back to Him, whom we know is definitely incorruptible.

Let’s ask the hard question. Do you love others that way? Well, now Carl, you are just meddling. Maybe I am. But I want to encourage you to love others, especially those closest to you with this incorruptible love. After all, He gives you His love to share with others. You are just the vessel He uses to express Himself. So, love like Jesus. Give grace like Jesus.

Oh, Father, thank You for giving Paul these words in this letter to encourage me to give grace and love others