Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Galatians 1:3-5 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE
What's your usual greeting? Likely a simple "Hi" or "How are you?" You probably don't begin your casual interactions with "Grace to you and peace." In the Apostle Paul's day, the usual greeting was similar to our "Hello" or "Good day." And yet, the first word of greeting which Paul consistently uses in his letters is: "Grace."
When we greet one another in our daily interactions we are wishing the best for each other. We want the responses to our greeting to be similar or something like "Fine" or "I'm good," but in this sinful world, things don't always seem good. Sin has changed everything. In humankind's fallen state, things are far from good. And how do we become "good" with God?
There's one feature that is totally and completely unique to the Christian faith. It's the opposite of work-righteousness. It's Grace: God's Riches At Christ's Expense! Grace alone-- through which God gives undeserved love to poor sinners for Christ's sake-- can and does set everything right again. Therefore, the Apostle Paul begins his message with "Grace to you and Peace" -- as do many of our Lutheran pastors when they preach.
Since we were reconciled with God through Christ, the friction between us and God ends, and we have peace with God. In Word and Sacrament, God greets you with his grace and peace which really does make everything "all good" between you and God. This is the meaning of grace and peace which comes "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." According to the Father's will, Christ has graciously sacrificed Himself and delivered us from sin, death, and the devil, promising us eternal life with Him in heaven. Thanks be to God!
Luther: These two words, "grace" and "peace," contain a summary of all Christianity. Grace contains the forgiveness of sins, a joyful peace, and a quiet conscience. But peace is impossible unless sin has first been forgiven, for the Law accuses and terrifies the conscience on account of sin. Your bones and mine will know no rest until we hear the Word of grace and cling to it firmly and faithfully. So Christ says: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you" (John 14:27).
