Grace and Peace

January 12, 2018 | By Chuck

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."(Phil.1:2) At first glance, one might think this verse is a simple introductory greeting from the apostle Paul. In fact, you've read these very words every time you've read a New Testament letter written by the apostle Paul. That's right, every single Biblical letter that Paul wrote, he mentions "grace and peace" at the beginning. Because of that, I have a hard time dismissing this phrase as simply kind words that Paul offers to his recipients. Don't get me wrong, they are indeed kind words, but I think far more than that. Grace and peace are two of the most meaningful words. We all, even those who don't yet realize it, desperately need God's grace. And peace, well, I'll just say that the vast majority of us desire peace in our lives. Grace is the free, unmerited love of God that gives us redemption through Jesus. We "are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."(Rom.3:24) Peace is the direct result of God's grace. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."(Rom.5:1) In his letters, Paul mentions grace first, then peace. Grace always comes first, because there's no peace before the sinner is forgiven through God's grace. So to me, this Biblical phrase of "grace and peace", that Paul repeats in each of his letters, is far more than a simple and pleasant greeting. There's nothing better that we can wish for others than for God's grace and peace to be theirs. "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."(I Cor.1:3)