A Benediction

And now, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. . .
This grace in which we stand,
This grace by which we have been saved through faith,
This grace in which we receive mercy and help in time of need,
This grace which is sufficient for us,
And this grace that we must not receive in vain. . .
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
And the love of God. . .
A love that existed before the foundations of the world,
A love that is rich in mercy,
A love that makes us more than conquerors,
A love that disciplines us,
A love that commands us to love one another. . .
The love of God,
And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. . .
The Spirit of Truth, who dwells within us,
The Spirit of Life, who has set us free,
The Spirit who helps us in our weakness,
In whom we are convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment,
In whom we are strengthened with power in our inner being,
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
And the love of God,
And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Be with you all. Amen.
L. Thomas Smith, Jr., Ph. D., Professor, History & Theology
Johnson Bible College, Commencement, 2008
(from the college newsletter, THE BLUE AND WHITE)