“Grace and peace to you…” Romans 1:7b NIV

Acknowledging all who “…are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (v.6), Paul gave the simple five word greeting as an ambassador for God, The Father, and The Lord, Jesus Christ. The primary character traits of extending grace and seeking peace with others are to be present in the life of a pastor, as well as in the lives of the saints who are partners in ministry with the pastor. Paul reminded the church of their calling: to be saints – set apart for the holy, high calling of Jesus Christ to do His good works (v.7a; Ephesians 2:10).

Grace and peace are both the signature of belonging to God’s family and the tools by which all saints extend the gospel. Grace is bestowing to others what they may not deserve or worked for. The saint is to overcome any barrier necessary to carry God’s salvation and redemption to the dying race of man. Employing the power of grace to others recognizes their worth in the eyes of God and thereby opens opportunities for God to speak through the one extending God’s Word.

While peace is the byproduct of salvation, it is also the means through which the power of the gospel is evidenced. When strife between persons, cultures, races, and nations is bridged by efforts toward peace, the love of God is then extended to those unloving hearts that are quickened by its supernatural transforming power. Churches are to practice peace-making within and without their faith community, otherwise how is Jesus to be known as The Prince of Peace?

The fruit of God’s Spirit is love evidenced by joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As the saints regularly engage in worship, they enter the presence of God and into fulness of joy! The more one enters into His presence, the more one is exposed to the joy of the Lord; and the more of God’s joy one experiences, the more one works toward peace with his/her fellow man, exhibiting patience, kindness, and goodness to others. The dynamic of joy then extends to the faith-walker being trustworthy (faithfulness) and gentle toward one’s family and friends. Every one of these traits requires the self-discipline to be intentional in one’s outward expressions of the inward faith experience.

I say all this to encourage you to continue to gather with the saints in worship. If your church does not lead you into God’s presence, go where you can enter into the holy of holies in worship, while God opens your heart to love His saints… providing you opportunities to know His peace. It really does often go beyond one’s understanding (Philippians 4:7). I thank God for His grace, and the peace He brought to my soul!

Have a blessed day…