Grace, Mercy, And Peace

-June 14, 2023-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(1 Timothy 1:2).

Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father. He calls him my son in the faith. Paul didn’t lead him to Christ, but he shepherded, discipled, and mentored him. He took him under his wings and helped Timothy to fly like an eagle. He taught him doctrine and practical application of the Word of God.

Paul trusted Timothy and often sent him on missions to help and encourage the saints. He said of Timothy, “For I have no one likeminded, who will sincerely care for your state. For they all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel” (Philippians 2:20-22).

Paul greets Timothy as he does his other son in the faith, Titus, with the same words, “Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” The Apostle John used the same words in 2 John 1:3. These three shining lights point the way through the darkness to Jesus the light of the world. They strengthen us, encourage us, and comfort us as we walk through the wilderness of this world.

• Grace – Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It simply means God gives us what we do not deserve. He has lavished His grace on us in salvation and in sanctification. Paul wrote in Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” As those who received God’s grace, let us bask in it like the sunshine and show it to others.

• Mercy – Mercy is the other side of the gold coin. It means God doesn’t give us what we deserve. We deserved eternal separation from God in hell forever. God’s demonstrated His mercy on us, vessels of wrath. We have received His mercy in order to show mercy to others who don’t deserve it. Mercy leads us to forgive as we have been forgiven. David prayed, “Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper” (Psalm 30:10)!

• Peace – Peace comes to us in two forms: peace with God, the moment we get saved; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding and rules our hearts. Because of God’s peace we can live in peace with our friends and our foes, no matter what are circumstances are.

Let us then thank God for His amazing grace, His abundant mercy, and His endless peace. May we show these traits in our character, conversation, and our conduct daily. Have a blessed day. Stay safe in healthy.

May His grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied to us and through us,

Dean