Greetings!
Some are formal and some are not. Some are rarely used and some are overused. One thing that is generally accepted is that interactions between people begin with a greeting. Whether written or verbal, a polite greeting is socially normative and usually appreciated.
The majority of the New Testament is composed of letters written to churches. Most of these letters were written by the Apostle Paul. Paul begins his letters with a greeting. It may be tempting to skip this part of the letter as merely introductory remarks. This would be a grave mistake, for all Scripture is inspired by God and contains profitable truth.
It is interesting to note the Paul begins all his letters with a greeting of grace and peace. For example, in Ephesians 1:2, he says “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace is unmerited favor or getting something you don’t deserve. There are lots of ways that God has been gracious to us, but Paul lists out several spiritual blessings in Verses 3-14:
• He chose us to live holy lives.
• He adopted us into His family.
• He redeemed us by His blood.
• He forgave our sins.
• He revealed His will to unite all things in Christ.
• He provided an inheritance and gave us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee.
It was the grace of God that transformed Paul from a persecutor of the church to a laborer for the Gospel (I Corinthians 15:10) and the grace of God that saves us from our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace does not stop with our salvation. God’s grace enables us to overcome the trials and temptations of life (2 Corinthians 12:9). Grace is not static. Peter commands us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Thus, the more we know Jesus, the more we’ll grow in grace.
But it’s not just grace. Paul says that God is offering peace. There is a legal aspect that our faith in Jesus puts us at peace with God (Romans 5:1). Jesus transforms us from enemies of God to friends with God (Romans 5:9-10). Just like grace extends beyond our salvation, peace is also offered on a daily basis. Jesus said “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). No matter the trial or difficulty we face, Jesus is offering peace as we sit at his feet and learn from Him (Isaiah 26:3).
Are you burdened by the cares of this world? Or the trials of life? Or the opposition of Satan? Then go to God and let the knowledge of Christ bring grace and peace, that you may have rest for your soul!
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Used by permission. All rights reserved.
