“May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” 1 Corinthians 16:23
In the early days before modern medicine, “cure-alls” were the rage. In particular, during the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s there were all kinds of brands of “cure-alls.” From “Drakes Universal Pill” to “Doctor Thackery’s Miraculous Cure-All,” these potions promised results for healing from every ailment imaginable. To this day, despite the horrible taste, Castor Oil is still used by many as a cure-all for various health issues. I still remember hearing old-timers talk about getting a dose of Castor Oil on a regular basis, and especially before bedtime, for what their parents called the “what ails ya.”
Paul left the church of Corinth with a “Cure-All,” and it was the Grace of God. His ending words in verse twenty-three of 1 Corinthians 16 were much more than a salutation, but rather a way of life Paul wanted the Church to embrace. Paul knew that the Grace of God could be received by faith and applied to every area of life, both for them and for us today. The Grace of the Lord Jesus, when received by faith, can affect our marriages and other relationships, our children, our finances, our safety and so much more. And, one of the great things about God’s Grace is it’s already been paid for and we never have to worry about it not living up to its promise.
Today, we can know, as believers, that the “Grace of our Lord Jesus” is with us and will show up in every area of our lives as we ask and receive by faith.