Renungan pagi, Senin 19 Mei 2025

“Receiving Grace, Embracing Peace”

Ephesians 1:2

This text is very familiar to Christians worldwide. Clergy uses this text as greetings;

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” is also often used in prayers,

sermons, and greetings across different Christian traditions. It is called a benediction or apostolic greeting.  “Benediction” comes from the Latin “benedictio,” which means “blessing.” The word itself comes from two Latin words: “bene” (good) and “dictio” (speech). So, literally, benediction means”good wishes” or “blessings.” In a religious context, benediction often refers to a blessing or prayer given by a religious leader, especially at the beginning of sermon or at the end of worship.

The themes of grace and peace are central to Christian faith, representing the core blessings believers receive through Christ. These words are well-known because they encapsulate God’s loving foundation for the Christian life: His grace (unmerited favor) and the peace (reconciliation and well-being) that come from relationship with Him.

In essence, this verse serves as a universal reminder of the fundamental blessings we share as followers of Jesus—blessings rooted in God’s love that transcend denominational and cultural boundaries.

Today, according to the academic calendar, this is the first day of the Serene Week, the week to keep quiet, preparing final exam, end of semester exam. How do you feel? Feeling anxiety, worries, nervous and some of you perhaps afraid of it. Do you need grace and peace?

1. What is Grace?

Grace (kharis) is God’s kindness and love that He shows us even though we don’t deserve it. It’s like a gift that’s given freely — not because we earn it, but because God loves us. Think of it as God’s unmerited favor.

How we can reflect grace:

Show kindness and forgiveness to others, even when they don’t deserve it.

Be generous and helpful, sharing God’s love in practical ways.

Always remember that we are saved because of God’s grace, so we shouldn’t be proud but thankful.

There are also many thoughts about grace; St. Augustine states that Heaven is not attainable without grace as it is beyond our abilities, and our broken nature does not allow God to help us to arrive there. Saved by grace (sola gratia)  as stated also by Martin Luther and John Calvin.

2. What is Peace?

Peace (eirene) is more than just feeling calm; it’s about being right with God and others. When we have peace, our hearts are full of trust, love, and harmony. This peace comes from knowing Jesus loves us and has forgiven our sins.

How we can reflect peace:

Be peacemakers – try to help resolve conflicts calmly and kindly.

Share love and kindness, making sure others feel included and valued.

Trust God during difficult times, and let His peace fill your heart.

We need the culture of peace in education. A culture of peace in education is a concept that emphasizes the importance of creating a harmonious learning environment and respecting differences to achieve an effective, conducive, and harmonious learning environment for students also among the sivitas academica.

Some figures who are considered peace makers, who got nobel peace prize, having made extraordinary contributions in creating a more peaceful and just world, world peace figures must continue to be known and inspire many people.

1. Mahatma Gandhi
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Martin Luther King Jr
4. Abraham Lincoln
5. Mother Theresa
6. Etc

I quoted a part of Martin Luther King Jr. Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech:

“Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace, and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood… all those to whom beauty is truth and truth beauty – and in whose eyes the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.” Cepat atau lambat semua orang di dunia harus menemukan cara untuk hidup bersama dalam damai, dan dengan demikian mengubah elegi kosmik yang tertunda ini menjadi mazmur persaudaraan yang kreatif. semua orang yang menganggap keindahan adalah kebenaran dan kebenaran adalah keindahan – dan yang di mata mereka keindahan persaudaraan dan perdamaian sejati lebih berharga daripada berlian, perak, atau emas.

Don’t forget the source of peace is God through Jesus Christ.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mat 5: 9).

 

3. From Whom Do We Receive These Gifts?

Paul says these gifts come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They are not just worldly things, but divine gifts that come from God’s love and power.

How we can reflect this Bible text?

Always thank God for His grace and peace in our prayers.

Live in a way that shows we belong to Jesus – being loving and forgiving like Him.

Tell others about the peace and grace we receive from Jesus so they can know too.

4. How Should We Live in Light of This?

Start each day with gratitude, remembering God’s grace and peace.

Be kind and forgiving in our words and actions.

Try to bring peace to your community, to the people you meet.

God’s grace and peace are gifts for us. They help us live joyful, loving lives, and they give us strength in tough times. As followers of Jesus, let’s reflect His love and kindness, sharing His grace and peace with everyone around us.

If grace and peace are absent from our lives, several negative consequences can arise:

1. Without Grace:

• Legalism and Pride: Without recognizing God’s grace, we might feel prideful, thinking we can earn salvation or spiritual worth on our own.
• Guilt and Despair: Lack of grace can lead to feelings of unworthiness, guilt, and hopelessness because we see ourselves only through our failures, not God’s forgiving love.
• Broken Relationships: Grace teaches us forgiveness and mercy. Without it, conflicts and resentment are likely to persist, hindering reconciliation.

2. Without Peace:

• Inner Turmoil: Without peace, our hearts can be anxious and restless, making it hard to trust God or maintain emotional stability.
• Strife and Division: The absence of divine peace in relationships can cause conflicts, misunderstandings, and divisions within families, communities, and churches.
• Spiritual Vulnerability: Lack of peace can make us more susceptible to temptation, discouragement, or despair during difficult times.

• Increased Conflict and Violence;
  • Without peace, conflicts, wars, and violence would become more common, leading to suffering, loss of life, and destruction.
• Broken Relationships
  • Without peace, misunderstandings, resentment, and hostility would dominate in families, communities, and nations, destroying unity and harmony.

How to gain grace:

• Accept God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Remain humble and grateful, recognizing that grace is a gift, not earned.
• Seek forgiveness and extend forgiveness to others.
• Grow in faith through prayer, Bible study, and worship, continually aligning your life with God’s will.

How to gain peace:

• Trust in God’s sovereignty during life’s uncertainties and challenges.
• Spend time in prayer and meditation, focusing on God’s promises.
• Practice forgiveness and reconciliation, reducing anger and bitterness.
• Live righteously and pursue justice, kindness, and love.

God’s grace and peace are gifts for us. They help us live joyful, loving lives, and they give us strength in tough times. As followers of Jesus, let’s reflect His love and kindness, sharing His grace and peace with everyone around us. Amen.

 

By: Rev. Maruhum Simangunsong, M.Th.