Grace to you and peace

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Eph. 1:2

Peace follows grace like flowers follow rain, like warmth follows the rays of the sun. God’s peace has two dimensions: peace with God, achieved through the wrath-bearing work of Jesus Christ; and the peace of God, a moment by moment recognition that it is well with my soul.

Peace with God is the absence of war between the King and the rebel. The peace of God is a barometer of whether you are conscious of this peace accomplished through God’s grace. Paul never placed peace ahead of grace in his greetings. The absence of warfare and the daily peace of God is the result of grace.

Right at this moment the waves are rolling up on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii but I may not be reaping any benefit of peace and relaxation from their predictable cadence and refreshing sea breezes. My not thinking about them doesn’t make them go away. That’s like grace. It’s constant, despite my feelings or recognition. But my being mindful of the waves does impact the degree of benefit I experience. As I’m mindful of God’s constant favor in my life, then I reap the benefit of that favor – His peace.

His peace starts in your heart and mind, shows up on your face, comes out your mouth and is obvious in tone of voice and body language, because it’s real.

Dear believer in Christ, God is no longer angry with you. The Prince of peace has brought you near by the blood of His cross. The white ivory throne of justice has been overlaid w/ the gold of grace. He wants you to know today that you are one of His favored ones.

Like Noah in a debauched world, you have found favor in the eyes of the Lord and He will not drown you in the deep waters of justice but will set your feet on the rock of grace.

I know of no greater sense of peace and producer of joy than to think that the God of this universe, the only one whose opinion ultimately matters, is pleased with the direction of my life and obedience to Him because of Christ. Grace to you holy and faithful ones and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

-Pastor Chris
Kerrville Bible Church