“Since we have been justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Romans 5:1
What could
win peace for my anxious heart which is riddled by so many demands and plagued
by inability to hold it all together? We tend to think of peace as something we
must work on or perform. “Peace with myself,” or “if I can only find some
peace.” We also think peace is simply something between people in
relationships. Yet our need for peace is deeper; by grace, His peace is deeper.
Paul says we
enjoy peace with God through Jesus. All our wrongs are made right, or
justified, by Jesus and we receive this by faith. Oh, but there is gained for
our anxious, broken hearts everything in heaven by this faith! We not only are
relieved of the burdens we carry, we have an active peace! Peace to rejoice in
our sufferings and persevere by His grace to rejoice in the hope of the glory
of God (Romans 5:1-5).
Jesus left
us this peace, not as the world gives, but a peace which gives this word: "Let
not your hearts be troubled" (John 14:27). This is Christ’s peace given to us!
This peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7), in
Whom we have peace with God. This peace, sovereign to Christ, is commanded to rule
in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). Christ’s peace is not something He gives when
we need it beyond our own works, but a peace to rule in our desires and to make
His church one.
This peace
belonging to Christ which rules our hearts and rejoices in all things is
learned (Philippians 4:11-12). Paul said he learned the secret to this
satisfying peace. We go through trials, afflictions, and day to day life beyond
our abilities to hold it together to learn this secret of Christ’s peace.
The peace of
Christ which rules the hearts of His united people is the secret to forgive and
be forgiven, turn away from captivating sins, learning patience, courage, boldness
in speaking the truth in love in the bond of peace given by the Holy
Spirit.
How is this
peace won for us and learned? It isn’t in finding peace with ourselves or
finding peace in circumstances such as better paying jobs or managing
relationships so I don’t become anxious or angry. This peace is found only in
God, and this is won for you and given to you through Jesus Christ who
justifies the wrongdoers. What marvelous grace our God has for us!
Heavenly Father, forgive and heal our anxious hearts. We let preferences
or opinions rule and determine our peacefulness and peaceableness with others.
Heal our anxious and broken hearts by Your sovereign peace given to us, not by
our works, but by Christ. May we drink fully of Your grace and be satisfied and
enjoy Your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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