Peace

Today’s Reading – Romans 4 – 6

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partitionbetween us; (Ephesians 1:14)

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:20

What does it mean to have peace with God? The Scriptures referenced above and many others in the Bible indicate very clearly that we who have been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ have peace:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Let me summarize a few thoughts on this peace that God gives His children:

1  Peace is the absence of conflict. The Bible indicates that we were at enmity with God because of our sin. We were born in a sinful condition and we continued in that state until we received the forgiveness that comes through a relationship with Christ. I am no longer God’s enemy. I am His child.

2  Peace is the absence of worry. I no longer have to worry about “the wages of sin”. Hell is no longer an option for me. I have been forgiven from all sins: past, present, and future; and I have a place reserved for me in Heaven. I don’t deserve any of it, but God in His grace loved me enough to save me. God not only frees me from worry regarding my eternal destiny, but as I yield myself to His will and His Spirit in this life, I can also be free from the worries that so often plague us all. Will I be provided for? Will I be protected? I am assured through the Word of God that as I seek Him first, He will take care of all of the rest.

3  Peace is the absence of turmoil. Life these days seems to be full of stress and turmoil; but again as we yield to God in our lives, and live according to the plan laid out for us in His Word, I can dramatically reduce the amount of stress that I experience in my life. And even when life gets a little bumpy I am assured of grace which is sufficient to give me an inner peace even in in the most turbulent storms.

Do you have peace? You can have it only if you are in a right relationship with God. Receive Him as your Saviour, and then yield your life to Him. Most of the world knows nothing about real peace, but for God’s children peace should and can be just a normal part of life.