Grapes+Peas

Have our holidays caused grace and peace to become a powerless household items?

Tis the season to be slightly cynical. Our malls, greeting cards, and coffee cups have been littered with slogans offering grace and peace, but all they have become is a shiny piece of tinsel and wrapping paper to be balled up and thrown away.

They’ve become cliche. They’ve become as unnecessary as a daily dose of grapes and peas.

As American citizen we practically can recite Amazing Grace, from start to finish, better than The Pledge of Allegiance. But do we actually know what we’re singing? Do we actually know the power of the words that cover our presents?

Peace has become a mindless gesture of departure, and an ideal for global harmony that may lead to a cease-fire for a day to honor December 25th. Is it actually attainable through Christmas carols and decor?

Or by the grace of God.

The Apostle Paul, one of the first missionaries of Jesus, wrote a majority of the New Testament in the form of letters to different churches in the Middle East and Mediterranean. In every letter, Paul opens with a variation of, “grace and peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our savior.” Are Paul’s words important, or could they be replaced with grapes and peas and hold the same meaning? The phrase is included in each of his letters, it must be important, and therefore deserves a little more attention than a Lexus commercial.

Paul’s mission in life was to proclaim the Good News of God, and grace and peace was the essence of his message. Pastor and author, Rob Bell describes Paul’s grace and peace as “the free expression of love and harmony from God.” It’s the grace of God that leads to peace with God, and all people. It’s the thing everyone wants.

Grace is offering forgiveness and hope to those who don’t deserve it. Grace is making the first move. Grace is favoring the unfavored. Grace is understanding that we too were broken, filthy, shameful, and cold.

Peace is every type of good. Peace is harmony. Peace is contentment in grace. Peace is freedom from trying to earn love by our own effort. Peace is rest. Peace is not obtained through war.

The reason we’re always at war with our enemies, other people, and ourselves is ultimately because we’re at war with God. God retaliates with love made evident through His grace offered through the sacrifice of Jesus, which, when received, leads to peace with God. If we can be at peace with God, then peace with man is possible.

Peace will spread when grace is given. Grace is the only gift the world can’t give. And it’s the only gift man can receive that will bring about peace.

Paul began EVERY LETTER with “grace and peace”. Essentially he entered every church he wrote to with the free expression of the love and harmony of God.

What if we entered everywhere we went with grace and peace?

Our offices. Our Schools.

Our homes. Our churches.

Our conversations. Our enemy’s territory.

Jesus entered enemy territory so we could enter into a relationship with God.

And, that’s more powerful than wrapping paper.

:: The French Pressed Four ::

: April Walker :: Thanks for showing Katy Grace+Peace!

:: MuteMath :: I’m willing to give the Muse status.

::: John Mayer :: Battle Studies

:::: Howard Chadwick :: A life well lived!