“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 5:1 (KJV).
Peace is an integral part of the Christian life. No meaningful relationship can exist without peace, nor can there be any development without peace. As a result of the fall, man ran out of peace with God. He became God’s enemy with his sin separating him from God. In this fallen estate, man could no longer gain access to God or receive blessings from God. Jesus came to make peace; he took upon himself our sins and the wrath of God as a result of sin. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” Ephesians 2:14 (KJV). By the blood of his covenant, Jesus abolished the enmity and made peace between man and God. He took our sins and the consequences of our sins and so justified us. By virtue of the justification, God is no more mad at us. His wrath was appeased and we have become his beloved children.
This reconciliation with God paved way for us to enjoy the peace of God now that we are at peace with God. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your heart and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7 (KJV). The peace of God we are called to enjoy is not the absence of trouble or problem rather; it is inner calmness even in the midst of crisis. It is the absence of fear, worry and anxiety. It is the result of the assurance that God is in charge. We are admonished not to be anxious about anything but to cast our cares upon him through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and then God will extend his peace in our hearts. Peace is the fruit of the spirit. It is activated by faith and understanding of God’s love and commitment to his own. Peace ushers us into the realm of rest, where we learn to simply rely on God knowing that his thoughts for us are thoughts of good and not of evil to give us hope and a future. As man comes into father son relationship with God through Jesus Christ, he will be justified by faith and freed from condemnation; he will be at peace with God and empowered to enjoy the peace of God that transcends human understanding. He will be at peace with God, at peace with his environment, with himself and at peace with others.
PRAYER: Dear God, enable me to enjoy your peace that passes all understanding.
Rev. Vincent Diolu