“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
Paul concludes his second epistle to the Corinthian believers with a benediction that is infinitely rich and full. His closing prayer is that these beloved sons and daughters of God would experience the boundless grace of Christ, the never-ending love of the Father, and the continual fellowship of the Holy Spirit in their daily walk with the Lord.
What’s interesting about this scripture is that at the very minimum, every person who believes the Gospel message to salvation experiences the undeserved favor of Christ (Eph. 2:8), the love of God (John 3:16), and the communion of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). But in our fallen state, how often do we need to be reminded of these infinite resources from the Triune God that are available to us not only at the point of salvation, but also moment by moment?
This “grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” reaches and touches all those who come to Him. There is no depth of wickedness beyond the sufficiency of Christ’s grace to bestow both momentary blessings as well as eternal life to those whom He calls. Paul knows this in the depths of his soul because he believed himself to be the most wretched among sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), and yet the Savior’s grace was well sufficient to rescue and redeem him.
Divine grace and love appear to radiate most brilliantly through the respective roles God the Father and Christ the Son play in our redemption. God’s goodness in creating and carrying out His redemptive plan is unparalleled. And for Christ the Son to be willing to leave his heavenly abode with the Father to take on human form under the humblest of circumstances, in order to satisfy God’s justice with His sacrificial death exemplifies unspeakable grace.
Even now, as He intercedes for us in heaven, His grace remains boundless. Chrysostom said, “For there is no sin that does not yield and give way to the power of repentance, or rather to the grace of Christ. Since if we would but only change, we have him to assist us. And if you are desirous to become good, there is none to hinder us; or rather there is one to hinder us, the devil, yet he has no power, so long as you choose what is best and so attract God to your aid.”[1]
God so designed that through Christ all His blessings flow to us. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God Himself, and the fellowship with His Spirit that we experience while here on earth is only available through the work and merit of Christ’s sacrificial life, substitutionary death, and supernatural resurrection. It is the self-same God through Christ who ensures our spiritual growth, provides comfort, and ultimately leads us to the joys of heaven.
Contemplations:
- The Overwhelming Scale of God’s Love: When I read 1 John 4:8, “God is love,” I’m compelled to ponder the true magnitude of this love. This isn’t just any love; it’s an infinite essence of boundless oceans of compassion. It is so profound that even when I’m at my weakest, most sinful, and most undeserving, God’s grace still envelops me. What does it mean for me to truly receive and understand this boundless love?
- Christ’s Grace – A Continuous Stream: I often imagine the grace of Christ as streams of living waters (John 7:38), flowing continuously, rejuvenating, and cleansing all it touches. It offers me a sense of peace knowing that no matter how parched or lost I may feel, this eternal stream is always there to nourish and guide me back.
- Redemption – The Ultimate Expression of Love: As I reflect on Christ as our Redeemer, I’m struck by the immeasurable sacrifice He made for us. It is an act that showcased love in its purest form. For Christ to leave His throne, assume a human form, and then willingly suffer and die for our sins, paints a vivid picture of God’s love for us. How can I better respond to this monumental act of love in my daily life?
- God’s Blessings Through Christ: Every blessing I receive, whether spiritual or common, is a testament to Christ’s role as a High Priest of God’s grace. It makes me realize that every act of kindness, every comforting word, and every moment of spiritual growth is a gift from above. It leads me to wonder, how can I become a channel of God’s love and grace for others?
Further References for 2 Cor. 13:14:
Phil. 2:1; Rom. 16:20; 1 Cor. 16:23; 1 Peter 1:2
[1] Chrysostom, Marco Conti and Gianluca Pilara, eds., 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008), 228.
