“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1:2, ESV)
This has been a tiring week. Much going on in every facet of my life. Much positive. But even more negative.
Do you ever feel like a particular area of your life was going in the right direction and then all of a sudden you ask yourself, “Am I kidding myself here? Are things really better in this area of my life? Or have I just been blind to the truth?”
This is where I am today.
Because of where I’m at emotionally, I have been fascinated with Paul’s epistles located in the New Testament. More specifically, my fascination is pinpointed in the greetings of each of his letters to Timothy.
Paul uses the words grace and peace in the opening greeting to all whom he writes. All the way from the book of “Romans” to the book of “2 Timothy.” But then all of a sudden, Paul uses a slight variation in his letters to Timothy. He adds the word “mercy.”
See for yourself….
“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1:2)
“To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:2)
Why does God inspire Paul to add the word “mercy” specifically in his greetings to Timothy?
And what does grace, mercy, and peace really mean for us as Christians?
According to John MacArthur….
“Grace and peace is the familiar Pauline greeting, appearing in all of his epistles.” “Timothy would need all three in dealing with the situation at Ephesus. Grace refers to God’s undeserved favor, love, and forgiveness that frees sinners from the consequences of sin. Mercy frees us not from the consequences of sin, but from the misery that accompanies it. Peace is the result of grace and mercy. It refers not only to harmony with God but also tranquility of soul. Grace, mercy, and peace are needed throughout the Christian life, not merely salvation.”
This explanation from John MacArthur has captivated me all week. Especially the part where he states, “Mercy frees us not from the consequences of sin, but from the misery that accompanies it.”
You see, the hurt I have been experiencing this week is result of past sin. Sometimes for me, past repented and forgiven sin, haunts me to the point where reality today…. looks a whole lot worse than what reality truly is.
I don’t want the consequences of past sinful choices to cause misery in my life today. I have been forgiven. Others have been forgiven. I have turned from my sin. Others have turned from their sin.
Jesus wants us to have peace as a result of the grace and mercy He extends to us. He wants this peace for both of us. Both, you and me.
What more does this mean for the both of us?
It means we also need to extend this same grace and mercy to others in our life. It doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences to sin committed, but we can be free from the misery that goes along with repented sin.
For instance, for the person who is….
In prison, we can still go visit them and send letters of encouragement.
A grumpy elder, we can still go pick up the mail for them and carry over a hot dinner sometimes.
A childish parent, we can still visit and call them to show we still love them.
A selfish child, we can still give them kisses and hugs when they get a boo-boo.
A rebellious teenager, we can still affirm our love to them and give them room to discover who they are.
Our unloving spouse, we can still love them the way they need to be loved with the help of the Holy Spirit aiding us.
The list goes on and on…..
Each of these people may hurt us at times, but with God’s strength, we can still have peace instead of misery in the midst of it all.
Join me in extending mercy to those that hurt us. It may seem difficult, but through Christ, we can do all things.
God’s Word says….
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
God bless! Love you all!!
Bibliography
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1 Timothy. Chicago: Moody, 1995.
