July 3, 2011 … Peace WITH God

Passage of the Day: Romans 5: 1 … Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, …

My Journal for Today: As I read and meditate on this verse, I’m almost overwhelmed by the reality of this truth. Think of it! Any sinner, and we all fit into that category (see Rom. 3: 23), … yes, anyone, who has repented of his/her sin nature, believing in Christ as Savior/Lord (see Rom 10: 13), has made eternal peace WITH God. Now this is not to be confused with the “peace OF God,” which comes from God’s Spirit as a fruit of salvation and is found maturing in a deepening relationship with Christ (see Gal. 5: 22 and Phil. 4: 6 – 7), being available for Christians as we live our lives in surrender to our Savior.

No, this is the peace we make WITH God through our justification, which we attain in our faith, leading to salvation. Until we surrender our lives to the Lordship of Christ and are saved, we are at enmity with God because of our sin nature. But when we are saved, God grants us an eternal state of positional peace with the Godhead, which was accomplished by Christ in His finished work on the cross and our faith in Him as Savior/Lord. The blood of Christ and our belief in and receipt of its saving grace, allows us to be in a state of eternal peace with our Holy God.

Abraham made his peace with God and was made righteous before His God (see Gen. 15: 6). The Apostle Paul wrote all of Chapters 3 and 4 of Romans to show us that our salvation comes only by our faith in Christ and our reception of God’s saving grace; and that salvation has nothing to do with any works we might do to attain that grace (see also Eph. 2: 8, 9 and Titus 3: 5 – 6). So, the overwhelming message for me (and for all of us) is that we don’t have to put our hope/assurance in ourselves for salvation … but ONLY in Christ and His finished work on the cross (see Rom. 5: 1 – 11; 2nd Tim. 2: 13; and Heb. 10: 23). And I don’t know about you; but not having to depend on ME for my salvation gives infinitely more assurance in my salvation than I could ever have if I had to be something or do something to achieve eternal life and heaven’s rewards. Perhaps you will join me as you read this by saying, from your heart, “PRAISE GOD!!!”

So, my lesson and message today is that, by being saved and knowing it, I am no longer at enmity with God, even as I still retain a sin nature (see Rom. 8: 7 and Eph. 5: 6). I am reconciled and at peace with our God eternally; and I KNOW that my Lord ever and ever intercedes for me before the Father (see Heb. 7: 25); and He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me (see Heb. 13: 5). And you can (and should) know that as well when (and if) you have believed in the completed and perfect atoning act of Jesus Christ on the cross to save mankind.

Really, I would need no more assurance of my salvation that this – but there will be more as we delve into this topic further this month.

My Prayer Today: I am Yours, Lord !!! Amen