Grace and Peace

Most Christians that I know agree that Paul has written 13 epistles in the New Testament.
In my recent studies, I have been looking at grace and what I've noticed is that Paul mentions the phrase 'Grace and peace' or versions thereof, in all 13 epistles. This is his normal opening salute to the recipients of his epistles.

As I was reading I noticed this pattern and also the order of the greeting. Paul always writes grace before peace and this got me thinking.
Why grace before peace?
I believe this is no accidental turn of phrase but a deliberate order. I believe that the Holy Spirit inspired this order for this reason.

Without an understanding of the grace of God as revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, we cannot possibly know peace.
John writes these words of Jesus in his gospel; 'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.'
The peace we receive from God is not a worldly peace, characterised by positive thought and denial, nor even an understandable peace; We receive a 'peace...which surpasses all comprehension' from God.
However, grace comes first for a reason.

Grace is defined as 'the freely given, unmerited favour and love of God'. God has poured out this wonderful grace upon all who believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Paul writes in Romans '..While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us'. This is the ultimate act of love and grace from our God. Jesus satisfied every condition of the Father in His death on the cross and there is no longer any barrier between God and those who would call on his name for salvation. No works, no flesh and no man-made thing will ever share in the glory of Christ's atoning sacrifice. This is true grace. We did not deserve His love or favour and yet He chose to make a way for us.

Only when we understand this grace completely will we have true and unshakeable peace.
Those who don't understand grace find themselves working, striving and trying, in their own strength, to please God. There can be no peace in that. There is only fear, doubt, failure and despair because 'all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment'. Our own strength will never be enough, hence our need for a Saviour.
Yet if our own strength can never be enough but we keep trying in our own strength, can there be peace? No.

Peace is a direct result of believing and trusting in the grace of God. It is not a 'hope' that all will be well when we meet God face to face; grace brings a guarantee of peace both now and in the eternity to come.

C.S. Lewis said this: 'God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.' I agree.
Outside of an understanding of God's beautiful, abundant and all-sufficient grace, we will never have peace. We will always struggle and strive and attempt to do something by ourselves.
The work is done. The price is paid. Our great God is satisfied.

The grace of God continues every second of every day. We truly live in the Age of Grace. This is where we should live as the people of God. It is our right as the body of Christ.
 Understanding grace is the key to all that God has for us in this New Covenant. Grace is the foundation upon which the temple of the Holy Spirit is laid. Without the correct foundation, all that is built upon it will be unsteady and shakeable.
However the writer to the Hebrews writes; 'since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe'.

Thank God for His grace. Thank God for His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank God that the work of salvation is finished and His justice is completely satisfied with the cross of Christ.

'Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.'
Brónagh Hayes