Finding peace with God
Have you noticed that life is full of chaos and conflict? Could you use some peace in your life?! We all need peace! Peace is about finding and maintaining harmony in our relationships. When we aren’t at peace, life stinks; but when we are, life soars! The Apostle Paul implores Believers to: 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, Colossians 3:15. What does it look like to find peace in our relationships, starting with the one that matters most, our relationship with God?
The great news is that God wants you to be at peace with Him! He wants a healthy, vibrant relationship with you. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
How can I find peace with God? Take these important faith steps…
Step 1 - Identify the problem: We have a conflict with God. How do you address a problem in your life? You can ignore it, pretend it doesn’t exist, downplay it or deal with it! Be honest with God and yourself! Admit you have a serious problem that must be addressed… you have a conflict with God. You will not be at peace until you deal with that problem.
Step 2 - Identify the cause of the problem: Sin is the cause of our conflict with God! 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23; 23 For the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23a
Sin dates back to the Garden of Eden and the fall of mankind (Genesis 3). Sadly, we inherited that sin! 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— Romans 5:12
You can’t find peace with God in the presence of sin. That sin must be dealt with. We can’t ignore it, pretend it doesn’t exist or downplay it. Left unaddressed, it will absolutely cause more and bigger problems. The biggest is spiritual and eternal death!
Step 3 - Consider my options: Live in conflict with God or find peace with God!
Seems like a no brainer doesn’t it? But sadly, there are a lot of people who choose to live with the conflict.
You can’t make peace with God on your own! Some wrongly think they can do enough “good” to level the scales with God and end the conflict. 6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; Isaiah 64:6
We sound kind of hopeless don’t we? Actually we are! God is just. He does not overlook sin. Justice demands punishment. As long as sin is present in our lives, we will not be at peace with God!
God has made peace possible through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 3:23
Final Step - I must place my faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1. Peace isn’t just given to all. It is the result of a critical faith decision we all must make… the choice to place my faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord!
What is justification? Remember that justice reference? God is just. To justify is “to declare righteous”, to make one right with God. Justification is God declaring us righteous, based on Christ’s righteousness being ascribed or imputed to us when we receive Him by faith. (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-26)
You are justified, declared righteous, at the moment of your salvation making you at peace with God. So how do you get there? Move toward God! He is waiting on you! “Peace with God” (Romans 5:1) in the original language implies intentional movement or “peace toward God”. In context, that is us moving toward God to find peace, like a prodigal child coming home to a waiting, open-armed father (Luke 15).
Peace with God is available to you! Take these vital faith steps to find it today. For much more, click here to listen to Finding Peace - Part 1 - With God.
