In EVERY SINGLE LETTER that the Apostle Paul writes, he always begins by wishing grace upon his readers. The way he says it is sometimes different, but he always says something along the lines of “Grace to you…”
This is not a throwaway line.
This is not akin to saying, “How are you?” to the friend you meet downtown. In other words, it is not just the way Paul said hello to folks. Paul started his letters with grace because grace is what the Christian life is all about. Grace is what the Christian life centers around. This is an extremely important thing to understand. Paul began his letters with grace, because the Christian life begins and ends with grace.
And then we read this glorious verse at the start of the second chapter of 2 Timothy:
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 2:1 (ESV)
We tend to think that other things bring strength, other things like the pointing finger of the law, or resolutions to do better, or commitments to avoid this and follow through on that.
Not so.
What leads me to walk in holiness and obedience is almost strange, but it is nevertheless powerful and true: the grace and mercy of God. You would think that offering grace would make me feel that I could do whatever I wanted, but to the man or woman who understands the grace of God demonstrated at the cross of Calvary, there is no greater motivation for righteousness.
Because of what Jesus has done, God now loves me like He loves His own Son, and that love will never go away. And when I understand that, I become so filled with love for Him, that I am moved and motivated to serve Him with all my strength for the rest of my days.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Titus 2:11-12 (ESV)
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
-Julia H. Johnston
Entrusted with the Gospel 