A Blessed Greeting (An article by Donny Meyer)

JUNE 29, 2023

 “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 1:3)

It is a great wonder how Paul greets the saints. Without fail, he always says, “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It’s quite a wonder because of whom he is addressing. They are saints indeed, but they are also men and women who have nothing good within themselves. They have a new nature but are still wrestling with sin. They are perfect in Christ but know all too well the current evil that is within them. They are a people who have not earned grace and peace from God, nor do they earn it now. So how can Paul open his greeting to the saints with such an absolute statement? He does so for two reasons:

1. First, he is absolutely sure that all riches of grace and peace come to the saints, not on behalf of what they have done, but for sake of what God has accomplished in Christ. If Paul plans on rebuking the church in certain areas or simply seeks to encourage the saints in his letter, grace and peace is his greeting to them because that is all that comes from God through Christ unto His redeemed. The promises of God are “Yea and Amen.” Grace and peace are the inheritances of those who trust in Christ and Christ alone. These are glorious riches that belong to those who cast themselves upon the Lord and follow Him. Christ, their surety, has purchased these wonderful riches for them.

2. Second, Paul can speak this way because he is an ambassador for Christ. His speaking is on behalf of Christ. He does not speak that which he thinks is right, but that which his Lord commands. He does not speak what he “feels” like speaking, but he speaks the same words of his God. He is commissioned by God and speaks what he is commanded; He stands in a foreign land and represents his King and Kingdom. What he speaks, his King speaks.

This greeting is a wonder for the one who understands the present evil that dwells with him; the one who understands that there is nothing good within himself. It is a wonder for the one who wrestles with his present enemy. But this mystery is solved with a right understanding of Christ and Him crucified. This is the very fountain of all the riches that are poured out upon God’s people. This is the whole attraction for the saint. Look intently to Jesus Christ and His wonderful work. He is perfect and so is His work!