Unpacking the Gifts of Grace and Peace

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 1:2.

In his opening greeting, Paul offers two wonderful gifts from God our Father, grace and peace. It may initially appear as customary behavior, a regular salutation, an expected greeting and verbal gift of hospitality. So often, we hurry past these words as though they are mere pleasantries, and put them to the side with but a glance of interest. But in reality, these two words represent heavenly gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to us specifically and meant to be cherished and treasured as prized family heirloom possessions. Just because these two packages look small, we should not discard them to the side as so many have. They may be of little value to the worlds eyes, but they are most valuable to us.

If you are a Christian, a Saint, faithful in Christ Jesus, then open your hands to personally receive these two gifts afresh from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul bears them on their behalf for they can be offered by no one else. They are truly yours to enjoy forever. Let’s marvel at them and the gift Giver. Notice the “and” on the gift tag. This is a joint gift we have been given from God our Father AND from the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no better Giver than God our Father. We don’t have to worry about being disappointed when he sends us any gift. James 1:17 tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God’s gifts are both eternal and life-sustaining.

From the very beginning God made known His generosity and perfect gift giving ability. In Genesis, He gave us life itself, he breathed his very own breath into us (Genesis 2:7). He didn’t stop there. He gave us a garden to live in, creation to enjoy, and dominion over all his creation (Genesis 1:28-30). He gave us His own image to bear, a reflection of his own glory to wear (Genesis 1:27), and even when sin entered the world through our disobedience, God gave us mercy. He gave us a covering of animal skins, a sign of His provision and the first substitutionary sacrifice (Gen. 3:21). This act foreshadowed the greatest gift of all: His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who would come to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16).

But God’s giving did not end with Christ’s life and death. In sending His Son, He gave us Himself through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17), who dwells within us as our Comforter, Teacher, and Guide. He further gave us a relationship as His children, He gave Himself to became our Father, Provider, and Protector. We are not left as orphans in this world, but we are adopted into His family, part of the church, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). He even promised us an inheritance and hope of eternal life. As we begin to count these blessings, our hearts are drawn into gratitude, overwhelmed by the generosity of a Father who gives so freely and lovingly to us.

And as we look ahead to Ephesians 1:3, we see that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ as well. But before we open that gigantic package that is waiting for us next week, lets further focus here on these two small gifts that are often overlooked and rarely prayed for, grace and peace. These are not just abstract theological concepts; they are tangible expressions of God’s love and care for His people. Once we fully grasp their value, we will find ourselves not only receiving these gifts with joy but freely distributing them to others in our prayers and blessings.

The Gift of Grace

Often when we think of grace, we think of God’s saving grace only. However, Paul is not specifically referring to saving grace here in Ephesians 1:2, but instead to a broader, more comprehensive grace. In this verse, Paul is offering grace and peace as gifts to believers who are already in Christ, so the context of grace here refers more to to God’s ongoing grace that we as believers experience in our daily lives. It’s the grace that sustains, sanctifies, empowers, and comforts us throughout our Christian lives, enabling us to grow in faith, serve God, and enjoy His presence. Paul’s greeting is a reminder of God’s active grace, which remains at work in the lives of all those who belong to Him.

Grace, in its simplest form, is unmerited favor. The Greek word used here is charis (χάρις), which conveys a sense of God’s kindness and generosity toward us, despite our unworthiness. As humans, we are prone to failure, sin, and weakness. God gives us a much needed, eternal, never ending supply of grace which equals the unmerited, undeserved favor of God. When you look at this gift of grace, it is a token you hold, that says the bearer possesses the never ending favor of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is freely given to all those who have been given God’s saving grace.

It’s the divine kindness extended to us, not because of anything we’ve done, but purely out of God’s goodness alone that he bestowed it upon you. Think about that—you and I have God’s endless favor! This is an incredible reality. Psalm 5:12 declares, “For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” God’s favor is like a shield around us, protecting and preserving us from harm. It’s a covering that guards us in the trials and challenges we face, a constant reminder that we are beloved by God and surrounded by His care.

But grace is even more…if that can be imagined. It’s not just God’s saving grace , His unmerited favor but it is also God’s enabling and empowering grace. It is what gives us the strength and ability to live a life that pleases God and accomplishes His purposes. In 1 Cor 15:10 Paul writes, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” When we are weak and insufficient, God’s grace is sufficient for us. In 2 Cor.12:9 adds to this when, the Lord says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” What a comforting promise! When we feel inadequate, God’s grace fills the gap and enables us to continue. Paul further explains in 2 Cor. 9:8 that “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” It is through God’s abundant empowering grace that we are equipped for every good work, no matter the task or trial.

Paul, by offering grace to the believers in Ephesus, is reminding them of their total dependence on God’s favor and strength. It’s as if he’s saying, “Here is the very thing that will carry you through every moment, every trial, and every joy: God’s grace.” It is no ordinary grace. It is the grace that flows from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our secret source of strength.  It  empowers us to walk in righteousness, fight the good fight of faith, and persevere in hope. When we embrace this grace, we are lifted above our weaknesses and inadequacies, held secure by the very favor of God.

The Gift of Peace

The second gift Paul extends is peace— eirēnē (εἰρήνη) in Greek, which means far more than the absence of conflict. It refers to a deep sense of well-being, wholeness, and calm that only God can provide. Grace and Peace are related for grace is the very foundation for peace, as peace comes from being in right standing with God through grace. Peace is just as precious as grace. In a world filled with chaos, fear, and anxiety, peace is a treasure many long for but few seem to grasp. The peace that God gives is not just a fleeting feeling of calm but a deep, abiding sense of well-being that flows from being in right relationship with Him and knowing we have his “grace”, a token of his unmerited endless favor and empowerment for all our needs. Philippians 4:7 describes it as “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, [and] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace is not controlled by outward circumstances, but is a stillness in the storm, where we can sing in all honesty, “It is well with my soul.”  It’s a peace that remains, even when life is falling apart, because it is rooted in God’s unchanging nature.

Jesus came so that we might have this peace. Isaiah 9:6 calls Him the “Prince of Peace,” and in John 14:27, Jesus assures His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” His peace is not like the temporary peace the world offers. It is a peace that holds firm in the midst of the storms of life, a peace that calms our fears and soothes our anxious hearts. Notice the command, “Let not your hearts be troubled”. There is a responsibility on our part, that if our hearts do become like troubled waters, to direct our hearts to Christ to still them as he did the storm.

Colossians 3:15 also urges us, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” How often do we allow worry and fear to rule instead? How often instead of trusting in the future grace of God to sustain us, to cover us as a shield, do we instead forfeit our peace with shadows of our imagination casts over our souls that blocks the light of the truth of his word? We can make a choice to put our faith in fear’s imagination, false evidence appearing real or faith’s promises, promises of God’s future grace, and allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts. It is so tragic that so many believers today are unable to enjoy the peace that is ours in Christ, but are instead burdened by anxiety and fear of the future despite the token of grace they hold in their hand from God. The peace of God is available to us now. We don’t have to earn it; it’s already ours in Jesus. We simply need to accept it by faith and live in the reality of it by enjoying it. That is how we receive the promises of God, we simply enjoy them.

As we look around at the world, filled with turmoil and uncertainty, we need this peace more than ever. It is a gift from our Father, meant to guard us, sustain us, and keep us steady. When we rest in His peace, we are freed from the bondage of fear and empowered to live in the fullness of joy and trust in our God.

Grace and Peace to You

As we come to the close of this reflection, I want to bear these same gifts to you that are from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, dear reader. To those of you who are faithful in Christ, may the grace of God empower you today, lifting your spirit, reminding you that His favor is upon you. And may His peace, an unshakable, unfathomable peace, guard your hearts and minds as you walk through life’s uncertainties. In a world filled with noise, stress, and fear, may you know the quiet strength of God’s peace.

Just as Paul opened his letter to the Ephesians, so these gifts are offered to you now from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

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

Will you accept them and prize them in your heart?