DOES IT HAVE REAL MEANING?
26th May 2021
I have just come to the end of reading through 2 Corinthians and noted again the final verse, which most of us know as “The Grace” and which we have said countless times at the end of a service. I found myself asking the question, “Do we have any real understanding of the words we are saying?” We usually stand and speak the words to each other with a smile on our faces and a desire to connect with those we are seeking to bless. But what are we saying?
Having not been able to meet together and say the “grace” for more than a year we are really looking forward to worshipping together with other believers. For us, we have a corporate gathering this coming Sunday!!
So what do we believe we are accomplishing when we say, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore, Amen.” As I read these words once again I was challenged, in fact I was convicted that I might be guilty of the “vain repetitions” that Jesus warned us about in Matthew’s gospel.
However, these are powerful words - “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” - that grace is the source of our forgiveness, eternal life, blessing, peace and countless other benefits.
“The love of God” - is the acceptance, and security of knowing a Father who loves us unconditionally, and who will never let us down, and will never leave us.
“The fellowship of the Holy Spirit” - comes as we are baptised and filled with supernatural power and resources, find a close friendship with other believers, and know that “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”
“The Grace” is a powerful prayer if we embrace the truth of the words we are speaking, and if we speak it with faith.
Let us rediscover the power and impact of this prayer, and when you are next together in church, make it a significant blessing that you speak into your fellow believers!
by Charles Sibthorpe
