John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

This follow peace in Hebrews 12 is noteworthy. If you are totally familiar with the peace of God, then you are walking in some aspect of God’s will. If you lose your peace something went wrong. This doesn’t have to be something significant, but it could be. Any time I lose my peace, I look to that moment when I first noticed it was gone and examine what I was doing or thinking about. The sooner you can identify those moments the better chance you have of heading of trouble.

People who stay in turmoil have a difficult time feeling the peace of God. Emotional distress can void peace. It is a precious gift from God, this promise of peace. It is the leading edge of the security of believers.

Perhaps that would be a good promise to look at next. Security.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Some years ago a teacher looked at me in church and asked, “And what is grace?” He was looking for the textbook answer, unmerited favor. I was and probably always will be one who gives my understanding heart the opportunity to speak. I answered “The manifestation of God’s great love to me in this life.”

Look at John 1:14 again. We beheld His glory. Glory is the essence of who God is, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. Full of grace and truth are glory essentials and should not be dismissed with quick answers. The issues of grace and truth are inexhaustible in form, context and effect. They deserve more respect than “Thanks for the favor.”

I don’t want to be the guy that is always looking for a favor. I do not want to reduce grace to a sound bite. Grace is very meaningful, very powerful, and life changing. Grace deserves respect. Grace is the essence of who God is in Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:3-7 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Like Paul here in the opening verses of Romans, we have received grace and a position. He was an apostle, our positions vary, but they all come with grace and responsibility. Obedience of faith is our responsibility in position. Paul extends grace and peace to the Romans by the authority of his position in Christ. Paul received grace and Paul extended grace.

It is so easy to overlook in these greeting, but he does it over and over again. Our example to understand the issues and powers of grace are in this very greeting. Grace received is grace extended.

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.