“But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.” (Eph. 6:21-24)

    What a book. What a great letter from the ambassador of Christ to the Church of Christ in Ephesus. Paul cared about them, and they cared about him. He ends his letter by letting the church know that he understands their concern for him. He even sends his own representative to tell them in person. He wants the church not to worry, just pray for him.

    Paul offers peace with the comfort. He gives love with faith. These things he shares with them as he received them from God and Jesus Christ. These things are our gifts as well. God and Christ want the saints of today to have peace, love, and faith. The crowning gift is grace. Oh, how we need grace. We need grace even when we think we don’t. Even if we look at our work and nod our heads in satisfaction. When we have done all, we can do we have failed to measure up to the perfection required by God.

    God provides that perfection in grace. To all who love the Son, the father gives grace. Thank you, Paul, for reminding us of that. We go to bed with grace and wake up with grace and live through the day with grace. Christ Jesus is the grace of God. He is the ultimate gift for a fallen world. We did not, do not, deserve the gift of Jesus. We are not worth one drop of blood, not one drop of sweat or tears. We are not worthy, and we cannot become worthy by how we live or what we give. Grace is the result of love, God’s love.

    Task for Today: Be comforted in your personal failure to measure up. Jesus measured for you. Have peace in your troubled heart, so marred by sin. Jesus took your sin and gave you his peace. Feel the love in spite of what you know about yourself inside. Jesus has all the love that’s needed, and he freely bestows it upon you. Quit trying to save yourself by being good. Jesus is the grace of God that forgives you in your sins. Finally, have faith, he who promised will surely bring it to pass.

Amen