On this second day of 2013 I invite you to a season of prayer and fasting. During these days I will be studying in the books of 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians. I encourage you to read through them in preparation for this study.

1         Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.^[1]

This first letter, written by the Apostle Paul, was intended to address the struggle of believers living out their destinies in a hostile world. While he shares authorship with Silas and Timothy, make no mistake about it Paul is the principle author. This first verse is in one sense just a typical and traditional greeting, a standardized form of salutation. But considering the issue the book addresses and the hostile environment in which the community existed it would seem to be more.

Paul does three things in his greeting. First he identifies himself and his two traveling companions. Second, he clarifies to whom the letter is specifically written. Third, he apostolically declared grace and peace over them. Beyond the identification of the ones from the letter has come, note the specificity of the identification of the ones to which the letter is written: “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In an age when the church appears to be confused about whom she serves and represents Paul is crystal clear thereby establishing the authority in which he writes and the power of what he will say.

Significant to me also is the declaration: “grace and peace to you.” Some manuscripts add the words, “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” More than just a standard greeting this is a declaration of what Paul seeks and intends for them. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. There is nothing they did to earn it and nothing they can do to purchase it. Peace is not just “a state of concord or tranquility,” it is “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.” It is “harmony in personal relations.”

This is my desire for “the church in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” as we begin this New Year. May we have the unmerited favor of God and may we be free from “disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions,” and live in “harmony in personal relationships.” Grace and peace to you!

Dear heavenly Father, grant Your children grace and peace. Allow us today and throughout this New Year to be free from thoughts and emotions that disrupt and disquiet our lives. May there be harmony in every relationship we have at home, our places of employment, the marketplace, or at church. Enable us to boldly stand and declare our allegiance and devotion to You without fear and without wavering in this hostile environment in which we find ourselves. Today we declare over our lives grace and peace. Amen.