“Grace be with all Them”...THE WAYFARER 2/27/16

“Grace be with all Them”

“Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.”
(Ephesians 6:24)

Paul ended each of his epistles to the various churches and individual to whom they were originally addressed with well wishes specifically given each in its own unique situation and circumstance.

These last two verses of Ephesians were no exception, but are exceptionally clear and pertinent not only to that church at that time, but to all Christians everywhere at all times as well.

Peace as promised by Jesus, love that brings that peace, with faith to be maintained by them that was given from God, and our Lord himself, not by mere men among them or the words or works of those mere men, is first referenced. All of the above are summed up in that last verse by wishing them grace which encompasses all of those and far more, because grace is more than these alone, including mercy, compassion and every good quality that is not inherent in mankind and may therefore only come from God himself!

This particular epistle is one of the shorter ones written by Paul, but encompasses what is most in need of emphasis to all of us today as well as then.

The sixth, and final chapter, from which I took my opening includes scriptures quoted regularly, printed and posted prominently on the walls of many churches, posted and reposted across the internet, preached consistently over the centuries since it was written because of the readily comprehensible symbology used, that compared the armor needed to defeat the evil of the world to the armor of a warrior at the time.

This description is particularly pertinent when the reality of the battle we are in is recognized as well.

Few choose to recognize the TRUTH of that battle and go happily about their business with heads in sand ignoring the need of the armor listed by Paul, or the reasons for which it is needed.

That armor that is needed, is only available through that very GRACE mentioned in the closing sentence of the book I reference today.

Each of those pieces of armor that are so often quoted, are referenced by other means throughout the words of this epistle. Though not specifically addressed as each of those pieces of armor, the means and importance of attaining and keeping them is given through the words of guidance in the words leading up to that summation of the intent of this particular epistle.

Guidance is given for each facet of life that requires the armor mentioned, admonition given to the absolute importance of each of those facets that provide us the ability to develop and use that armor.

Grace is of particular emphasis throughout tis short epistle.

The word is used not only in closing it, but in the opening greeting, and is referenced in five of the six chapter included in this short book.

The Fifth chapter in which the word itself is not used is filled with the various definitions of that word as we are reminded of the importance of keeping it once it is given.

The second Chapter in particular gives reference to a quote most precious to me that points out that without that very grace, there could be no hope for either, myself, nor any other creature.

Oftentimes this verse is also quoted. Many times it is quoted without the reference that gives it the meaning that is of such importance to me and any hearing and comprehending it. There is both a preface and continuation beyond what is commonly quoted that give the context and importance of that quote.

“But God is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

That in ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

(Ephesians 2:4-10)

It is that amazing and total grace, sung about in song, written about by Paul and others but given only by God, that provides us both the armor so often spoken of, and the necessary will to use it, while still daily facing the need for both, and indeed that need is ever increasing, ever more evident as fewer and fewer remember to first recognize the need of that grace, and fewer still recognize the means by which it was and is given, by Christ alone,  whose requirement for that grace was and is still summed up in the message he preached to:

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

And in the commandment given those having heard that message and attaining that grace that we are to love one another as he loved us.

Love may only come through that grace. Love from God is willingly given with that grace. Love given God, and our fellow man is impossible without first having that grace.

Any other means attempted to find that love is merely an attempt to redefine it with the definition given only by those who would cheapen it to mean what is given by the creature who hated that very grace given, and humanity for having been given it.

I close in prayer for all that that abundant and total grace be found for each searching for it, that each searching be willing to accept the terms needed to have it given, and that all that may be reached with that grace be reached readily and completely, that all who may be taught the definition of that grace and all it entails comprehend and accept the true definition and origin of that grace.

I remain as always, the same simple sinner saved only by that grace given through faith in the only one capable of providing it.

I remain also the soldier called to remind all who would listen of the need to don that armor spoken of in that chapter first referenced today, and to do so with the full faith and trust in that GRACE. in knowledge that it is impermeable, and undefeatable, because of that very grace with which it is given us mercy that is given without merit, or cost. 

2 Timothy 1:12

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

 Amen and Amen

THE WAYFARER