Know God, Know Peace

Do you have peace with God? Many seek for peace of mind or world peace, yet neglect the most important peace—peace with God. One hundred years from now, the only peace that will ultimately matter is if you have made peace with God. The Bible gives us the answer as to how we can know that we have peace with God. The Breach of Peace“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). When God created the world, He placed mankind into a peaceful and perfect environment with no sin, sickness, or suffering. Mankind was in a peaceful relationship with God and able to fellowship with Him and enjoy His presence. Tragically, this peace didn’t last as mankind chose to rebel against God. This rebellion disrupted the peace and brought death, disease, and disaster into the world. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). When the first man, Adam, chose to sin against God, mankind’s peace with God was severed. This severing of peace with God can be seen in a world that is filled with the pain of death and suffering. The severing of this peace can be seen in the fact that every person born into this world lacks true peace with God. The Bible actually states that all people come into this world guilty before God (Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5) and at “war” with God as His enemies (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21). Mankind’s greatest need is not physical peace, but is spiritual in nature becasue it is sin which separates man from God. Man’s sin has made a breach in his peaceful relationship with God. 1 John 3:4 states that “…sin is the transgression of the law.” God’s law is a reflection of His holy character. In it, God forbids lying, coveting, idolatry, dishonoring parents, adultery, murder, etc… Jesus made it clear in the Gospel of Matthew that God sees past the outward act and even judges the hidden sins of the heart. In God’s eyes, lust is adultery and hatred is murder. The Bible says that God is “…of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…” (Habakkuk 1:13). Because God is perfect in His holiness, mankind’s sin separates him from having peace with God. The Bible is clear that “…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s standard is perfection in thought, word, and action. All of mankind falls far short of that standard. Because God is just and holy, He must punish sin. The Bible warns that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The Bible states that the “unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9) but “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:8). All sin will be punished in a place called Hell where the absence of peace and the presence of torment will exist for eternity. The Bridge to PeacePeace with God was broken because of the sin of man. But God sent another Man to bear our sin so that peace with God may be restored. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). God made a way to repair the breach of peace between us and Him. God made a way of peace for guilty sinners. God made a way of peace by sending His eternal Son into the world to live the perfect life we could not live and to die the death that we deserve to die. Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully man, became “sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ “hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ, the sinless One, took the punishment of the sinful ones so we could escape eternal punishment and be brought into a peaceful relationship with a holy God. Such peace is God’s desire. God “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11). God, in His mercy, offers eternal life and “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). The path to peace with God was paved by the Lord Jesus Christ. The breach of peace was mended by the Prince of Peace—Jesus Christ. Because of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, God offers salvation and eternal life to all who will receive it. Do you have peace with God? If not, “...behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Will you humble yourself before a Holy God, admit your rebellion against Him, and call upon Him to save you and restore that peaceful relationship? Peace with God cannot be earned through good works, sacraments, church membership, baptism, or any other human merit. It is all of grace. It is “not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). Peace with God is a free gift that must be received by repentance and faith. Jesus said to “repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Repentance is a complete change of attitude towards God and sin that results in a resolve to forsake your rebellion against God, your love of sin, and your trust in anything other than Jesus alone. Faith is trusting in Christ alone to be your only Lord and Savior. Do you have peace with God? Repent and trust in Christ today! Jesus said, “...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).