Grace Precedes Peace

It's interesting that God so inspired his Word to be written in a manner where important doctrines are reinforced seemingly accidentally. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I commenced upon a study of the book of Ephesians. This fascinating epistle is written by the apostle Paul and discusses powerful tenets of the faith, such as the armor of God and the unity of the body of Christ. In his typical fashion, Paul offers an effusive introduction: "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:2). Without even attempting, he, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes the order of events in the Christian experience. Grace comes first, followed by peace. In other words, without the Grace of God, one cannot experience the peace of God. So many individuals in this day and age attempt to placate their inward fears by experimenting with drugs, maintaining a pernicious addiction, or working themselves to death. These futile efforts will result in greater frustration, as the individual contantly longs to secure freedom. However, the Bible teaches that a person must humble himself at the foot of the cross and receive Christ's redemptive work, before he will encounter that inward peace. I am thankful that I have experienced the Grace of God, and because of this unique and transcendent occasion, I can live with the peace of God.

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