Confident and lasting peace!
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
Peace is an unstable concept. Peace can last a moment or a long time, but it is almost guaranteed to end with a fight! History has proven this true. Most people, if not all, dream of a world where peace continues undisrupted and remains forever. People have given it a try but unfortunately, it fails.
In this world, our human concept of peace does not last because the people who drive this peace are sinful and only think of themselves. Once the peace is no longer toward their benefit, it is broken.
Because this is the only peace we can experience now, we tend to think of peace with God in the same way. We try our best to make peace with God through all different kind of ways.
- We try to be nicer to others.
- We try to give more offerings thinking it will make God happy toward us.
- We even tell God we will make up for our mistakes.
The reality is not a pretty picture. No matter what we do, we cannot make peace with God. It is impossible. Our failure to make peace with God only lead to an eternity of his wrath.
God is not like us! He does not make peace dependent on us. He chose to make peace with us through Jesus Christ. It makes all the difference. God has declared us not guilty of sin and not guilty of breaking peace with him.
Jesus took the war to the cross. He was stricken and smitten by his own Holy Father for us. Through Jesus, we have a peace like no other peace. A peace with our God that we can be confident in. It cannot be broken because the peace treaty between sinners and God was written in Jesus’ holy and innocent blood.
This makes our peace with God last forever. It is why we can be sure we are bound for Heaven. As we continue to hear our Lord’s passion during Lent, remember the peace that comes to us through him.
Prayer: Dear God and Father, thank you for making peace with you possible and certain through the work of your Son. Let us remain confident in the declaration of “not guilty,” we have through Jesus and his death on the cross. Keep our hearts at peace with you now and forever! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!