“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2
Grace and peace are gifts from God freely given to His own. Grace and peace flow from God the Father and His Son Jesus, with power and great effect. Grace and peace flow from the perfect and eternal will of God, through the condescension and life blood of Jesus Christ, to deliver us from sin and guilt and secure us in eternal life. Grace and peace flow by and from God’s mercy to meet us in daily living, and unto His glory. (Galatians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:5-8)
This divine flow courses from the heart of God to seep into into our everyday. Its source is our abiding Christ, its depth and spread deep and wide and amply sufficient. It is effective to convict and cleanse, and pleasant to enlighten, renew, and invigorate. It soothes away tears of the brokenhearted, and fills with hope.
So how do the amazing grace of God and the peace of Christ Jesus that transcends human understanding work themselves out in practical experience? Having received, been washed by, and daily nourished by the grace of God, how does it flow from us to those who are weak and untested in the faith, to those who’ve wronged us and we do not feel like forgiving? How does the peace of Christ in our hearts affect how we react to tragedy, hardship, or loss, and the atmosphere in our homes and workplaces? How does it infuse speech, interactions, deliberations, relationships, and our countenance? (John 14:27; Romans 15:1; Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 4:6-7)
“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.” ~John Newton (1779)
Are we asking for and receiving this bounty by faith? Soaking in Scriptural promises and benedictions open wide their access, and the flow starts with the first seizing and making application to circumstance. After that, they are unstoppable.
“This is all my hope and peace:
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness:
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.” ~Robert Lowry (1876)
Lord Jesus, may I daily dive into Your flow of grace and peace. Cause these to guard and guide my heart to meet the needs of others and to bring honor to your great name.
As the rain and snow 