Grace, Mercy, and Peace…2 Timothy 1:1-2…“This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. I am writing to Timothy, my dear son. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Of the thirteen letters written by the apostle Paul, only the three to Timothy and Titus use this three-fold greeting: “Grace, mercy, and peace.” The other ten letters use the more common “grace and mercy.” Why the distinction? The Holy Spirit is never whimsical or capricious. Perhaps, since these three letters were the only ones addressed to pastors that Paul had trained, there was a more poignant emphasis intended.

Grace (charis) is the foundational core of God’s gift of salvation to those who trust Him

Ephesians 2:8

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

It is also the essence of the “gifts” that we received from the Holy Spirit to minister to each other

1 Corinthians 15:10

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favour on me-and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

The charis is the basis for charisma that we receive. Those who have been entrusted with leadership responsibilities are reminded that the measure of those gifts is still God’s charis

Romans 12:3, 6

Because of the privilege and authority (Or Because of the grace) God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.(Or by the faith God has given you; or by the standard of our God-given faith).……..In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.

So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

Mercy is often understood through God’s forgiveness both in justice delayed and sentence nullified through Christ. It is also what the Sovereign Godhead responds with when we ask for His help.

Hebrews 4:16

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Peace is much more than mere lack of anxiety.

John 14:27

"I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." This gift is rather a supernatural, non-circumstantial contentment that is only given to the Lord’s Twice-Born.

This peace is “the peace of God,"

Philippians 4:7

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

May this grace, mercy, and peace be a regular portion of your walk in the kingdom as you serve the Lord Jesus.