“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:1-2)

When I was young, my best friend moved away. It was before the age of email, and long-distance phones calls were quite expensive, so we diligently set out to write letters back and forth. We wrote nearly every week for many years. Our good friendship stayed strong many years after she moved away. This childhood friend still holds a dear place in my heart because of the time we spent writing to each other.  

Paul spent three years firmly establishing the church at Ephesus during his third missionary journey. He taught and shared his life with them, and as he moved on, I am confident that this special bond continued. Years later while in prison, he penned this amazing letter meant to encourage the congregation he pastored and cared for.

Throughout this letter, he unravels the mystery of the Church and of our spiritual blessings in Christ. But before he begins, he opens in a similar way as most of his letters, by restating his calling by God and greeting the saints. Paul knew he was handpicked to bring the good news of Jesus to world. He faced a lot of opposition during his life and ended up in prison because of it. But none of that deterred him from the mission at hand. And as he wrote and greeted the believers in Ephesus, he reminds them that grace and peace is theirs from both the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a marvelous way to start a letter!

What if we woke up every day and reminded ourselves of God’s grace?

Grace means His unmerited favor and kindness, which is our in Christ Jesus—what difference would that make in our day?

What if we woke up every day and reminded ourselves of His peace?

Peace means that we have harmony, unity, and confidence with God, which is ours in Christ Jesus—what difference would that make in our day?

This is why Paul starts this letter by reminding his friends, and by extension us as well, that this is available and it should make a daily difference in our lives!

Grace and Peace to You!

And so, I also greet you in the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be with you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and may your experience both today.