Grace, mercy, and peace…
Summary: In his role as an apostle, Paul is able to offer the gifts of God to Timothy and us.
The structure of Paul’s first sentence in this letter is interesting. Here is the whole sentence—watch what he does:
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Paul is an apostle. He is sent by the Lord Jesus to be an emissary for the Gospel. His specific mission is to the Gentile world.
When God sends a representative, they do not go alone. God goes with them. Often, although not always, signs and wonders go with the person representing God. Moses, for example, performed many great signs before Pharaoh and the people of Israel.
In Paul’s particular case, he, too, has performed signs and wonders. These signs testify to the fact that God is working through Paul and that his testimony is affirmed by the power of God.
Now, we see him doing something different.
In addition to preaching the Gospel, Paul is dispensing gifts from the Father. He doesn’t say, “May the grace of God be with you.” Instead, he confidently says that he is sending grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and Jesus Christ to Timothy.
And what lavish gifts!
Grace — the favor of God poured out on a person by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mercy — Instead of the punishment we deserve because of our fallen nature, God extends his love and affection to us.
Peace — the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7, RSV).
It is hard to express the profound effect that the combination of these three gifts can have on a person.
Imagine receiving a letter from Paul directed to you personally. In the letter, he opens with the same words he has written to Timothy. Now realize that God, in fact, offers you these same gifts!
His mercy is extended to all people. As long as we are alive in the flesh, we have the opportunity to return to God and be welcomed home.
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, God’s grace is poured into our lives in the form of the Holy Spirit.
When we have God’s mercy, the love of Jesus, and the grace that comes with the presence of the Holy Spirit, we also have God’s peace.
Application: Enjoy the gifts of God!
Food for Thought: How do grace, mercy, and peace help us to be disciples of Jesus?
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Continue reading “2 Timothy 1:2b – Three Gifts”
