Real peace

Rev. Joel Gaertner June 17, 2019

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) 

green-1350599_1920What is it that keeps you up at 2 a.m.?  What robs you of a clear conscience or the ability to find peace in your soul?

The basic answer to those or similar questions is sin.  But we all know it’s not that easy.  Sin manifests itself in all sorts of ways in our lives whether it be the inability to realize that God is in control of every aspect of our lives or the doubt if God can really forgive THAT sin.

Each of those situations and any other one which sin uses to wreak havoc in our lives is covered in our Bible verse for this week.

To get the full meaning and peace which God through Paul wants to give us with the word “justified,” we need to understand the word picture that word conveys.  Picture yourself standing in the front of a courtroom before the judge’s bench.  Your knees are knocking and your voice is trembling as you have heard the “judge,” God the Father, read the charges against you (all your sins) and you speak to give your plea.  You speak the words “not guilty” and wait to see how God the Father responds.  A wave of relief and tears of joy pour over you as God the Father says “I accept your plea because I know that Jesus lived a perfect life and died a death to pay for all your sins.  You are completely forgiven and are free to go.”

That might seem a little far-fetched, but in a sense, that is what happens every time we beg God for forgiveness.  When a repentant sinner comes before the throne of God’s justice and grace, the verdict is always “not guilty” – “not guilty because of what Jesus did in our place.”

What is really reassuring is what Paul goes on to tell us comes along with that “not guilty” verdict – “we have peace with God.”Take a moment to ponder the full impact of those words.  If there is something which keeps us up at 2 a.m. or robs us of a clear conscience or peace in your soul, it is because we have not taken a hold of the peace which God freely gives us and wants to assure us of time and time again.

Understand that this peace doesn’t come without a battle.  Every time we flee to the cross or seek the comfort which God gives us in his Word and Sacraments, the devil is right there trying to cast doubt and rob us of the true and real peace which God gives us with the “not guilty” verdict of our forgiveness and his grace.

Do you want real peace?  You have it and it is found in God alone!