“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” (Ephesians 6:24).
The apostle Paul’s inspired pen concludes his glorious treatise on the greatness of Jesus of Nazareth and His magnificent temple with this tender benediction.
God’s loving favor called grace is a multi-faceted descriptor of all the good Jehovah desires for every creature in all nations. God’s grace seeks the salvation of all (Titus 2:11). It instructs on what is spiritually harmful and what is spiritually beneficial (Titus 2:12). It radiantly sparkles with a living, vibrant hope (Titus 2:13). It works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). It provides all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). It provides spiritual victory in super abundance (Romans 8:37). Oh, the exceeding riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:7)!
The only appropriate and acceptable human response to God and His glorious grace is a sincere love of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29) who paid with His own blood the ransom of atonement for our sins (Mark 10:45). He is God’s final prophet (Hebrews 1:1-2). He is God’s reigning King-Priest (Hebrews 5:6) who ever lives to make intercession (Hebrews 7:25) for His younger siblings. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is the one mediator between God and men (Titus 2:5). He is the head and bridegroom of His church (Ephesians 5:23-25).
Unfeigned love of Jesus surely is the least we can do in response to his grace and love which surpasses human comprehension (Ephesians 3:19). Yet, as mere mortals, sincere love of Jesus for His rich grace is the most we can possibly do. Therefore, unfeigned, sincere love of Jesus is the best we can do for Him who graciously first loved us and died for us while we were still sinners and His enemies (Romans 5:8).
