From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Grace, mercy, and peace
Paul's writings to various churches and individuals each
contain some valuable truths within their headings. (To those who
believe he wrote the letter to "Hebrews", I say, if he did, it would be the only
exception to this practice.) At the risk of using up your valuable time, I
ask you to read each of these single verses taken from "his" Bible books.
When you read "you," or, an individual's name in them, insert your own name
there, as they each are written to saints, which you are in Christ
Jesus.
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to
be saints: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ. (Romans 1:7)
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3)
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:2)
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God the Father and
our Lord Jesus Christ, (Galatians 1:3)
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from
the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:2)
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phillipians 1:2)
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at
Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ. (Colossians 1:2)
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the
Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be
unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 1:2)
Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:2)
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and
peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Timothy
1:2)
To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and
peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Timothy
1:2)
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace,
mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our
Savior. (Titus 1:4)
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ. (Philemon 1:3)
I know you might have felt tempted to skip the last few
because they seem so repetitious, but I hope you didn't, for God uses repetition
in His Word when HE really wants us to hear something.
For that reason, I want to point them out to you again.
1. Notice the order of "grace and
peace." Grace always comes first here, as it is impossible for
one to have real peace until he has experienced grace. We could not have
peace with and from God, if we weren't first assured we had grace from Him;
otherwise, we would always be cringing in fear "waiting for the hammer to
drop." Remember, God's
Riches At
Christ's Expense assures us
all our sins, along with the penalty demanded for them, were laid on Jesus at
the cross. We no longer owe, for HE paid the bill.
2. Three of Paul's letters went to individuals who needed a
little further reminding of their rightful possession of peace. To these,
Paul inserted the word "mercy" after grace and before
peace. I believe God told them and us that, through
grace, not only will we receive what we don't deserve
(eternal life with God in Heaven), through mercy, we will
not receive what we do deserve (eternal separation from God in
Hell). To someone in need of peace, those two facts should light your
fire.
3. These gifts of grace, mercy, and peace come to us from
God the Father. I still believe many Christians see Jesus
as the lover of their souls, but somehow separate the Father to a position that
resembles how they saw their fathers, or the most prominent men figures in their
lives. I've pointed it out to you before, God the Father is the One Who
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16)
The ultimate authority, God the Father, loves you. That should give
you peace.
4. These gifts are from God our
Father. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we have a number
of family members around us. In days past, people didn't tend to worry so
much about things in life, because they knew they had several family members
living fairly close by, ready and available to help. We have lost some of
that as we have become more apt to "move away." God, through Paul's
writing, reminds us believers we have brothers and sisters around us. We
are not alone here; another link to peace. Don't allow Satan to deceive
you on this point.
5. These gifts are made possible by The
Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, Who laid His own life down for
us, is the Master (Lord-kurias), Who spake unto them,
(and us) saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18). God the Father has placed
everything under our loving Savior until the time when HE (Jesus) lays it
all at His (the Father's) feet. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) That should help
settle you down, also.
May your hearts be settled by His Word, which stands
forever.
Grace, mercy, and peace to you, from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
Ben