As a quick and fun exercise, take a moment and turn in your Bible and read Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4 and Philemon 3. Essentially what you will find in each of these Pauline letters is that common greeting that you might sometimes skip over, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul writes these same words at the beginning of every letter.
But read it carefully. Look for what I think is a key word in these greetings. Did you see it? You might overlook this word because it may seem insignificant, but it is not. Circle the word “from.”
Paul is not sending a greeting FROM PAUL to these Christians! Paul, writing by the inspiration of God, is sending a greeting to these Christians FROM GOD AND JESUS Themselves! It’s as if, every time you read these letters, God is saying, “Hello! My grace and peace are for you! I love you!” And He is saying that today to YOU!