Grace and Peace to You

Grace and peace to you. Grace and peace to you from God our Father. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I am constantly amazed at some of the things that Paul said to people in his letters. Sometimes he comes across as absolutely brutal. If he were a “hired minister” at a particular congregation he would most likely be fired for some of the things he said to those who are under the name of Christ. On a number of occasions he called individuals out, saying that they were under Satan’s influence. He used language and imagery to get his point across that isn’t even secularly accepted today in public. Most of all he was passionate about what he was saying…and he meant it.

No matter what Paul had to say, he said it under the banner of the grace and peace of God. I think back to things I’ve said and often I speak out of all kinds of wrong motives. The banner that is often flown with our lips is a banner of pride, anger, revenge, annoyance, etc. Everything Paul said in his letters was said in order to bring grace and peace.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.