Grace and Peace

Grace and Peace

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 1:2 (NKJV)

Seventeen of the New Testament books start with a blessing similar to the one above. This blessing is often overlooked and its relevance ignored, but if we understood the power of this blessing it could have a significant impact in our lives.

First Grace then Peace

The order of the blessing is significant; first grace and then peace. Until we know and appropriate God’s grace, we cannot experience His peace. Paul explains that peace is conditional upon us knowing that we are justified by faith through grace.

                Therefore, having been justified by faith, we (may) have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

So, what exactly was it that the NT writers were conveying to their readers?

The Significance of Grace

  1. Grace stresses the nature and character of God.
  2. Grace demonstrates mankind’s hopelessness and the free gift in Christ. It can never be a reward or payment for what is done, it is unmerited favour.
  3. Grace is the foundation for good works produced in the Christian’s life appropriate by faith in God’s grace.
  4. Grace is the New Testament lifestyle, containing principles that God expects us to live by and providing the enabling power to live by those principles.
  5. Grace in the believer displays God’s glory to the world.
  6. Grace by faith guarantees salvation, love and provision.
  7. Grace is the enablement of spiritual power and capacity.

Paul starts the letter to Philemon with the familiar blessing, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philemon 1:3). Philemon was probably a leader in the church which met in his house and so Paul was not referring to salvation when he was pronouncing grace in this introduction. In Galatians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 3:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul says those at Jerusalem could perceive the grace on his life. This infers that grace can be used in a similar manner to the way people today use the term anointing.

In Zechariah chapter 4, there is an interesting insight to this principle:
                Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

We tend to focus on the task and the force i.e. the might and power, but it is by the Holy Spirit’s enabling that the work is done. So, how does this work in practice? Verse 7 gives us the answer in declaring Grace, grace to it! By verse 9 the foundations of the temple were complete!

This gives us an incredible insight into the New Testament blessing. Paul, and many of the other NT writers, declared the blessing of the grace of God as the enabling of the Holy Spirit to operate in both personal and church situations.

The Significance of Peace

“Peace” was a typical Jewish greeting (see Judges 19:20) and was a blessing of completeness. For the Christian, it carries an even deeper meaning than it did among the ancient Hebrews, a sense of assurance of victory and access to all the resources needed to live for your God given purpose.

                And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20 (NKJV)

Paul gives us insight that grace enables us but God is a God of peace and it is the peace that will quickly give us the victory! Furthermore, it is the peace of God that will guide us into making right choices as we allow that peace to rule in our decision making:

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)

When the path ahead seems unclear or even impossible, it is the peace of God that guides and directs. It is the peace of God that brings victory. It is the peace of God that brings a sense of completeness and transcends all your human understanding in the situation:

..and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)

Let’s learn to bless one another with “Grace and Peace”. When facing difficult situations, speak “Grace and Peace” over them. When unsure which path to take, speak “Grace and Peace” and let the God of all peace direct, guide and enable you by His Spirit.