Two Foundation Words for Your Week

Sometimes, we just need a good reminder. Today is one of those days. I started my day off with some upsetting news. In addition, I had the privilege to begin my day with my Monday morning life group. We are studying the Book of Ephesians together. This morning, we reviewed two foundation words that really benefited my thinking this morning, and I believe will benefit you as well.

Grace and Peace

The Apostle Paul begins the book of Ephesians in this way:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 1:1-2)

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, Paul writes to you. Notice how he begins… Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

These introductions are so short and common, it is easy to zip right past them without any additional thought. But, let me help you slow down for one minute so you will not miss these two foundational words for your week.

Paul wishes us grace and peace to us from God in Jesus Christ.

Why is this important?

When you take a moment to consider it, you quickly realize that people all over the world are looking for these two things. Every person desires grace and every person looks for peace. This is so true that every system of formal psychology seeks to provide people with peace. Each one does it through taking any personal responsibility for sin and placing it in something else. It could be in your DNA, in the conflict between your id, ego, and superego, in dysfunctional thinking, your environment, or any number of other combinations. Although they place the blame in various places, they all unanimously take the blame off the person and posit it somewhere else. Why? Because individuals desire peace. In order to grant false peace for the conscience, psychology declares you not guilty. Yet, at the heart, we are.

Peace.

What about grace? We need it as well. We long for grace in our relationships. Yet, grace alludes so many of us. People are unkind, unfair, and often demand justice rather than seek to serve each other out of mercy and grace. Individuals complain. People want their pound of flesh. Everyone wants you to get whatever it is that they determine you have coming.

Grace.

Two Foundation Words for the Week

These two words serve as beautiful foundation words for our week. Why? Because Paul reminds us that in Christ, God provides us both. We get grace through salvation in Jesus Christ (cf., Eph 2:1-10), and we get peace through salvation in Jesus Christ (cf., Eph 2:11-22).

Grace and peace.

Think about that, my friend, you begin this week from a foundation of grace provided for you in Jesus Christ and peace provided for you through Jesus Christ. Rest easy. God provides grace. You have peace. Neither as the world system teaches; instead, they are provided for you as a saint in Jesus Christ.

Take advantage of this foundation in Jesus – Grace to you and peace.

 

 

 

Image Credit Brett Jordan