“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to be you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (vs1-2).
Grace and peace are in Christ and only for the FAITHFUL, the saints, and those that HONOR God by faith. If we don’t BELIEVE the gospel, transformation never comes, and we have not yet been saved. It is NOT those who hear about Christ, but those that BELIEVE who are saved; it is not what we know, but whether or not we trust Christ ourselves, even as the ark only saved people inside, no matter how many admired it, understood its saving purpose, or even helped it be built - “These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them; that every one that kills any person unawares may flee there” (Numb 35:15). We must YIELD to Christ for salvation, and if we do, if we BELIEVE on Him, then we have GRACE and peace from God.
He is RECONCILED to us, is at peace with us, and He has PURE and free GRACE for us continually. The wrath is gone, the love is ETERNAL, and we can be sure of our calling and election BY the faithfulness He gives - “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for is you do these things, you shall never fall” (2 Pet 1:10). We TRUST Him apart from works with assurance, and then we work by this assurance, and MORE assurance comes.
Be thankful that you’ve obtained mercy, if you believe, but if you don’t believe, then don’t assume things are good with you; they aren’t. You are under God’s wrath and will be punished; you and I are taunting death and provoking wrath , if we don’t believe. Grace and peace makes you holy and faithful. Are you? Do you believe?
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