What's in Hello?

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father

 ~ Galatians 1:3-4 ~

 

 

The Church had been planted in Galatia but now false teachers were starting to pop up teaching salvation by works, or earning your way to heaven, and many Christians were being led astray. True Grace is a gift from God, giving you what you don't deserve, true Peace like Grace, is also something only the Lord can provide. What's this got to do with hello? I am glad you asked.

Grace is the 'source of salvtion' and peace is the 'result of salvation' By saying 'Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ' Paul identifies that grace and peace are of God not good works, also it signifies the Father and the Son are two parts of the Trinity with equal deity. By adding 'who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us' Paul identifies the purpose of Jesus coming was to be a sin offering, that Jesus Christ is the only source of  Grace, and without Him we would still be in bondage. Jesus dying for us was a rescue mission!

 

The common greeting of that time was 'Chara' or Joy. This distinctly Christian greeting of grace and peace, held special meaning and significance. The law system of the Judaizers (good works) provided NO grace or peace, so the very teachings of salvation by works was attacked in this simple greeting. If salvation is of works than it is not of grace (a gift) Romans 4:4-5

 

The people of Galatia were turning away from the Gospel message of Jesus Christ by grace, and turning back to false teachers, false doctrines, and back to the law (religion), this special greeting reminded people that without Christ's atoning death and resurrection the Gospel Messsage would be worthless and people would still be in their sins. (1 Corinthians 15:14-17)
 

  By adding  'according to the will of our God and Father' confirms grace is a gift and not of works, also God is a Father to those whom receive Him "But to as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" John 1:12-13

 

Paul's greeting was carefully thought out. What about you? How do you greet people? Hey, Hi, Hello, Waz up? How's it going?  Today is no different, so many have turned, and are turning, to their own strength for salvation, even after hearing of grace by faith in Jesus Christ.

 

 So the challenge is this...

 

This week greet people by saying "Grace & Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" Yeah, your going to get some looks and some comments, but hopefully it will open a door for you to explain the Gospel Message and remind people in order to be rescued they need Jesus!