Grace, Mercy and Peace

​2 John 1:3 ~ "Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love."

There is a trifecta of Divine promise that fills this opening statement of the aged apostle. John writes to the "elect lady" the warmth of the love of God, much like the Apostle Paul opened his letters to Timothy (see 1 Timothy 1:2 & 2 Timothy 1:2). And these three blessings of God are what every Christian needs. It's like the sweet fruit of a tree, hanging down to refresh all who pass beneath the shadow of its boughs. Will you, beloved, pick the fruit of grace, mercy and peace this day?

How much Divine grace are you in need of today? Could it be that you hear the word "grace" and think of the undeserved favor of the Almighty? It is that and so much more. The grace of God is the effectual working of His salvation upon the sinner. Jesus offers grace to all who come to Him by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Grace is also the power of God working through the redeemed. The LORD tells the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." The grace of God that has saved you will be the same grace that is all-sufficient to sustain you.

Perhaps, today, you find yourself in the dire condition of another sinful fall. There is the offer of mercy from the LORD to those who will come to Him for cleansing. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." But God's mercies are new every morning (see Lamentations 3:22-23). Surely we should strive against sin, watch and pray to fight temptation, and flee those moments when the desire to sin is upon us. But what happens if we fail? God does not spare His rod of discipline (see Proverbs 13:24), but He also does not withhold His generous mercy. Consider your Advocate, the Son of God Himself. 1 John 2:1 says, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Jesus will plead on your behalf before the Father, for in Him we find mercy.

And, in this troubling world, you might need God's everlasting peace. Reach up and pluck this ripe fruit, dear ones, for there is more peace with God Almighty than there is trouble in this world of sin. The unsettling condition of our world often leads to a troubled mind for those who have forgotten the LORD is Sovereign. We lose sight of Christ and we discover that the howling storms of life fill our hearts with anxiety. Yet, consider the LORD's word to us in Isaiah 26:3, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." But, like Peter walking on the water (see Matthew 14:28-30), we look away from our LORD and begin to sink in dismay. The LORD has provided the means of receiving His peace within your heart--it is through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 states, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Divine peace is promised to those who join their lives to Christ and stay connected through prayer. 

And, dear reader, all of this is done in truth and love. God does not make promises of grace, mercy and peace and then not be able to provide those blessings. He, the LORD, speaks the truth. And, the Divine Sovereign does not offer this trifecta of compassion grudgingly, but He opens His hand before you and draws you to receive His gifts with love. He has placed His affection upon His children--all those who belong to Christ. And in love and with truth, the LORD's grace, mercy and peace will be with us.

In His Grace,
​Pastor Michael

---