Galatians 1:2,3

Galatians 1:2,3 Galatians 1:2,3—and all the brothers who are with me, To the church of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole law is summed up by Jesus in Matthew 22:34-40. We are to love God and love each other. If the whole law can be summed up with those two commandments, then I believe that everything that belongs to Christianity can be summed up in the greetings of Paul’s letters. “Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Why not just say, “Hope things are going well”? Or “how’s things at the church”? Since the bible is the inerrant word of God, there must be a reason why Paul would always address his letters with the pronunciations of Grace and Peace—Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thess. 1:1, 2 Thess. 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, Philemon 3. Why does he do this? Why is this important? Well, Paul isn’t here to explain himself but it speaks mountains to me. Grace. Just think about that word and all that it carries with it. Our salvation was bought with a price and that is grace (1 Corinthians 6:20). Saving faith is a gift from God and that is grace (Eph.2: 8,9). We were granted repentance and that is grace (2 Timothy 2:25). We were resurrected from spiritual deadness and that is grace (Eph 2:5). We have been predestined, called, justified and glorified and that is grace (Romans 8:30). God will finish what he starts in us and that is grace (Phil. 1:6). Think about it. That is enough to make a Baptist shout! But what is so amazing about grace is that it is greater than our sin. Grace does all of the things listed above because it is greater than our sin. Praise God! Our sin is disgustingly vile and gross and we need to feel that. The cross will not mean to us what the cross really is if we do not get that. Our sin requires punishment and Christ paid for it on the cross for all who would repent and believe. This is the breath-taking amazement of grace. Grace is the avenue in which all spiritual blessings are bestowed upon us. We receive these blessings only because grace is indeed greater than all our sin. Grace removes sin. Peace. Who doesn’t want this? Peace comes as a result of trusting in the claims of the Gospel. If you are in Christ, then you are at peace with God, period. Romans 5 is an incredible chapter with incredible truths that we often times would dismiss as unbelievable. We don’t always feel like we are at peace with God. Sometimes I struggle to really believe this. How often do we feel like God is mad at us for not doing our daily devotions? How often do we feel like God is mad at us because we didn’t pray all day? Sometimes I think we would rather have the law than grace. Our emotions can really mess with our minds. That is why regardless of feelings, we must trust biblical claims. Paul claims in Romans 5 that through Jesus Christ we have “now received reconciliation”. NOW! Not later. NOW! Let that speak peace to your soul and thank God for that peace that he has provided through his son. We were all enemies of God at one time (v.10) but through the gracious gifts that Jesus purchased for us on the cross, we are now his friends. Do not let our own personal “laws” abolish this truth in our heart. If you are truly Christ’s then you are at peace with God. Knowing this helps to empower you to live the life of faith. Just as Paul pronounced his blessings on the church at Galatia; so I pronounce mine on you as we conclude. “Grace and Peace to you.” May God grant you grace that overcomes the death-grip of sin and peace that calms the stormy waters of your soul. God bless you.