In his letters, the Apostle Paul often speaks a greeting at the beginning as follows:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!”
1Cor 1,2

Grace and peace belong together. Where there is grace, there is peace. In his letters to Timothy, he adds the word “mercy” to this. From this emerges the personal movement, not only of Paul, but especially of God.

“Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1Tim 1,2; 2Tim 1,2

Wishing someone grace and peace is a logical consequence in the light of the gospel. Because that’s what it’s all about. Once we have come to know the grace of God, we experience relaxation, liberation, peace through it. Peace with God, peace with ourselves. Our life receives a new foundation.

If we experience this ourselves, then it can flow on to the next person. So how I meet my neighbor is essentially dependent on how I myself am allowed to stand in life. If I have come to rest in Christ, I may also meet others out of this peace with God (Rom 5:1-2). Grace and peace speak of God’s mercy, which is allowed to flourish in our lives and relationships. From this comes fruit.

How do we speak to each other?