GRACE always comes before PEACE

Years ago I listened to a wise teacher named Mid Hokey. He was a shepherd of the flock who was well advanced in years and experience.

I remember him saying once that GRACE always comes before PEACE. His point was that if there is to be peace between God and man that God had to extend grace to our sinful hearts. And likewise, if there is to be peace between men, we must extend grace to each other.

Grace is an unearned favor given to someone who doesn’t deserve it. In order for there to be peace between God and man, he had to sacrifice his perfect son in our place to pay for our sins. We didn’t deserve it. He did it before we asked or even wanted him to. He did it to show his love. In the common greeting among Christians in the first century in reflected this sentiment… that GRACE precedes PEACE.

EXAMPLES:

• Romans 1:7 “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:3 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:2 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Galatians 1:3 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,”
• Ephesians 1:2 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Philippians 1:2 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Colossians 1:2 “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.”
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1 “Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.”
• 2 Thessalonians 1:2 “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Titus 1:4 “To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”
• 1 Peter 1:2 “who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
• 2 Peter 1:2 “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
• Revelation 1:4 “John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne”

And as I have read the scriptures in years since; I have noticed that GRACE does always come before PEACE. Not only in the common greeting of New Testament times, but in Christian doctrine and real life grace comes first. If there is to be peace, someone must extend grace.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God loves you and offers you grace despite your sins. Please turn to Him and find the peace that passes all understanding. Ahhhhh! Sweet GRACE comes before true PEACE. Forgiveness extended to the sinner so that they might repent and be restored... Sweet Grace! Do you want peace??? -then offer grace.

Therefore, may grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!