From the President's Heart
May 2007
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
"As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." II Peter 1:3
God's blessing and provision for those who are in Christ is a present reality. We are not waiting for eternity to find blessing, but we can presently draw upon the resources of a heavenly Father who has provided for our every need. It is out of relationship (In Christ) that we experience the dominate forces of grace and peace that are operative in the lives of the redeemed. Ephesians 1:2
The source of this force called grace, a preeminent theme in Ephesians, is God our Father and Jesus our LORD. While peace is His abiding presence, grace is His enabling living power in our lives. Peace, like grace, is a gift of redemption. Jesus said: "My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." "I will never leave you or forsake you." "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Peace is His life abiding in us. His presence will never fail us; nor, will we ever be left as orphans.
Grace, a redemption reality, is also an abiding reality; but, its focus has to more to do with enabling. In Christ, I have been placed into the realm of God's grace. He will no longer deal with me as an alien, but as His own dear child. It is in grace that I am saved. We are placed in the "riches of His grace" as recipients. We are gifted spiritually in grace; and we receive grace to serve Him. Additionally, we are graced for growth and edification in Christ. In grace, I am guaranteed certain things. God will always provide correction, Hebrews 12:5-8. Correction is an assurance of "sonship." It is in grace that I receive mercy. In Christ, God does not give me what I deserve; but, I receive from Him on the basis of who I am in Christ.
The apostle Paul's general greeting was "grace and peace", from God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Christ. He thus greeted believers because he wanted to impart that perspective from the beginning of any correspondence. That is a perspective and a position from which we must approach life. We are never left alone and we are never without His enabling power. Whatever we are experiencing or whatever the struggle we are facing, we can have great confidence in Christ. The reality of grace and peace in us is measured by the dynamic of Christ's gift. Ephesians 4:8
Be encouraged today; and, remind yourself of whom you are, whose you are, and what you possess "in Christ."