“To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7).
When a Christian has chosen to sin willfully (Hebrews 10:26) and retreat from a life of courageous obedience to the faith to one of apostacy and perdition (Hebrews 10:38-39), “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
This mindset, however, is not the one God prefers. Nay, rather, God—who is for us (Romans 8:31ff.)—desires to bless us with grace and peace as His beloved children, called to be saints.
Grace—His loving favor—has been shown to all men (Titus 2:11). Its bountiful riches are freely given to everyone who is obedient to the faith (Romans 1:5). With your obedience to the gospel, all spiritual blessings in Christ are bestowed upon you, His saint (Ephesians 1:1-3).
Peace is the absence of conflict with God and conscience which comes to everyone who is obedient to the faith and lives in this world as a saint. By presenting your body as a living sacrifice—holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1)—you have peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
“…from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” identifies the greatest possible sources of grace and peace. Nothing is more resplendent and glorious than the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10). No better sentinel against anxiety and fear can guard your heart and mind than God’s peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
Blessed is he who lives as God’s beloved saint!
Such reminders are so important to all those who are in the faith. Thanks for your dedication to the service of God and man; and may God always replenish you with heavenly wisdom through Christ our Lord. Amen!