Friday, August 17, 2007

Ephesians: All of Grace (1:2)

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," (v.2).

* Grace and peace. One produces the other. As long as there is the slightest bit of works needed for salvation, true peace isn't enjoyed. Millions who are seeking to earn favor with God, incessantly wonder if what they've done will be good enough for heaven when the reckoning time comes. Others are resigned to believe that it is impossible to know for certain now, so we'll just have to see at death what happens. Among many Christian groups there is the theology that salvation is given by grace, but kept by works. How subtle is the enemy of our souls! To such tender-hearted folk he whispers, "You're saved by grace, but you can still lose it," and keeps them in a peaceless bondage.

No, only as His salvation is embraced in the fullness of grace is God's intended peace enjoyed.

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