Grace; Peace; Glory – Ephesians 1:2
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV)
Why is every word of Scripture vital? In a creative and compelling exposition of Ephesians 1:2, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds the significance of two words: grace and peace. Lloyd-Jones argues that these two words contain the most profound truths of the Christian faith. Our Christian lives begin with God’s condescended love; his beneficent kindness; His unmerited favor. In other words, it begins with grace. This unmerited favor begins our faith, whereas peace is the result of our faith. Fallen man has a minimal and warped sense of peace. Lloyd-Jones says “reconciliation” captures the biblical picture of what God promises in peace. The peace that God gives includes peace with God, peace with self and peace with others. Since God gives us what we do not deserve, we can give that same grace to others. His peace makes us peacemakers, even with our enemies, because we sympathize and understand mankind’s core problem is sin. Grace and peace only come through the Lord Jesus Christ. To deny the exclusivity of Christ is a denial of Christianity and the only place where, not only grace and peace, but glory can be found. MLJ Trust