Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ… (2 John 1:3).
In several of the apostolic letters, the Spirit emphasizes a powerful benediction. For example, in some of Paul’s writings, he opens with the words, “grace, mercy, and peace, as in 1 Timothy 1:2, “…Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” He repeats the same blessing in his second letter to Timothy and again to Titus.
The apostle John echoes it as well: “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ…” (2 John 1:3). Why did the apostles consistently pronounce grace, mercy, and peace? It’s because of their profound importance in the Christian life.
The Scriptures reveal men and women who found grace in the sight of God. Noah, for example, found grace before the Lord even when judgment was determined upon the earth. Genesis 6:8 tells us, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Grace positioned him for preservation and victory. This shows that when grace locates a man, mercy follows.
Grace, mercy and peace work together. Romans 5:1-2 connects our peace with God to the grace of Jesus Christ in which we stand: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand….”
When you find grace in God’s sight, He becomes merciful toward you. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Grace is divine favour extended to you. It’s God’s work upon a person’s life.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word is “chen” and it means God’s gracious favour. Through that grace, through that act of divine favour, He exerts His influence upon your life to see to it that you succeed. His grace works upon your mind, helping you to think the right thoughts. It influences your heart and guides you to make the right decisions, beyond your natural ability or human intelligence.
Grace covers you, shields you, protects you, and keeps you from grave errors. Walk in this consciousness. You’re not left to your human ingenuity and ability alone; the influence of heaven is upon your life, directing your steps and causing you to produce results that exceed natural capacity. This is the life God has given you in Christ.
Prayer / Confession
Dear Father, I thank you for your abundant grace, mercy, and peace at work in my life. Your divine influence guides my thoughts, decisions and actions, leading me in the path of success and righteousness, established in victory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
