Acknowledging all who “… are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (v.6), Paul gave the simple, five-word greeting as an ambassador for God, the Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ. The primary character traits of extending grace and seeking peace with others are to be present in the lives of believers. Paul reminded the church of their calling: to be set apart for the high calling of Jesus Christ to do His good works (v.7a; Ephesians 2:10).
Grace and peace are both the signature of belonging to God’s family and the tools by which all saints extend God’s love. Grace is bestowing to others what they may not deserve or worked for. The saint is to overcome any barrier necessary to carry God’s salvation and redemption to the dying race of man.
While peace is the byproduct of salvation, it is also the means through which the power of the gospel is evidenced. When strife between persons, cultures, races, and nations is bridged by efforts to make peace, the love of God is then extended. Churches are to practice peace-making within and without their faith community; otherwise, how is Jesus to be known as the Prince of Peace?
The fruit of God’s Spirit is love evidenced by joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As the saints regularly engage in worship, they enter the presence of God and into fullness of joy! The more one enters into His presence, the more one is exposed to the joy of the Lord; and the more of God’s joy one experiences, the more one works toward peace with his/her fellow man, exhibiting patience, kindness, and goodness to others. Every one of these traits requires the self-discipline to be intentional in one’s outward expressions of the inward faith experience.
I say all this to encourage you to continue gathering with the saints in worship. If your church does not lead you into God’s presence, go where you can enter into the holy of holies in worship while God opens your heart to love His saints, providing you opportunities to know His peace. It really does often go beyond one’s understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Grace and peace to you …