Ephesians: Tear Down These Wallsنموونە

In my country of birth—South Africa—people greeted me by saying "Howzit”? In Australia, it’s "G’day!” or “gidday-mate-howzit-goin”!

Our world is full of beautiful and diverse greetings from mano in the Philippines, to hongi (touching noses) in New Zealand, and bowing in Japan. 

The Apostle Paul uses his customary greeting “Grace and peace” in the opening verses of his letter. 

“Grace and peace” is actually a mash-up of two greetings—the Christian grace plus the Hebrew shalom (peace). Grace is God’s saving initiative, and peace (shalom) is the wholeness, rest, and unity that results from God’s saving initiative. 

This is more than a simple greeting. It’s a prayer! A prayer that the Ephesians would experience grace and peace. Or more accurately, more of it! That they would enjoy relationally what was theirs positionally. 

Friends of ours spent many years serving travelling hippies and spiritual seekers in India and Thailand. My friend, Brendan, told me about a seeker who, after a lifelong search for peace, had eventually found it in Jesus.  It struck Brendan, that since this person had received the peace of Christ, he ought to be the most peaceful person in their village! It ought to be noticeable to all those hungry for peace, that the Christians embodied the very thing they longed for.

We have peace with God, through the grace of Christ. Take a deep breath. Soak that truth in. And live from that reality today.