To Encourage You

Colossians 1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brother in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

Do you know that every letter the apostle Paul wrote in the Bible begins in the same way? Each of his 13 letters from Romans to Philemon, inclusive, begins essentially like this: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” What wonderful words from the Holy Spirit through Paul to all true believers, i.e., those who are “saints” and “brothers and sisters in Christ.”

In each of these letters we have a miracle displayed. It is the miracle of a one-time persecutor of Christians and hater of Christ that had been transformed to a person who loved both Christians and Christ more than he loved his own life. Paul never got over this. He was overwhelmed by the grace, God’s unmerited favor, having been poured out into his life. He, of all people, deserved absolutely nothing from God other than judgment and an eternity in Hell. But God, in His wonderful grace, called Paul and rescued him from “the domain of darkness and transferred him to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). Rather than condemnation, God had blessed Paul’s life with “redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).

What marvelous love, and what an incredible blessing the Lord of glory has pronounced on each and every one of us who were once, like Paul, sinners on our way to an eternity in Hell. God’s first word to us through Paul in these epistles is “GRACE!!” And then the next wonderful words: “peace from God our Father.” God, in His awesome grace, has a message for each and every one of us who were once His enemies: “Peace!”

Paul wrote these words from prison. Here we have the inner tranquility of a soul so transformed by Christ that it could have peace in the face of persecution and the hatred of men. Here we have God’s message to each and every one of us in the face of any trial or difficulty we face: “Be at peace. I will never leave you or forsake you. I see you, I love you, and all things, no matter how overwhelming in your life either right now or in the future, will work together for good.” God has pronounced both grace and peace on all His children. And that is not just a wish or a “hope-so,” it is an absolute certainty spoken by the Master of the Universe, who is forever true to His Word.

So, are you reading God’s wonderful messages to you in His Word? Are you hungry to hear what else this One has to say to you, this One Who has started His messages to you over and over again with these words “Grace to you and peace.” And if you don’t know Him, do you sense a great need in your own life for grace and peace, for everyone has that need, whether they recognize it or not? These precious gifts are yours if you will but turn from your sin, put your faith in Christ, and allow Him to do for you as He has done for every single one of those who have believed, including Paul, who was once a despicable enemy of both Christians and Christ. Jesus is ready and willing to also rescue you from the domain of darkness and transfer you to the kingdom of His beloved Son, a kingdom where each and every person is living in the great grace and peace of God.