Without Jesus Christ, there is no peace
Without Jesus, there is no peace with God nor any peace in your life. The apostle Paul writes in the Book of Romans about the peace that Jesus initiated with God the Father. Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
In other words, Jesus personally paid the ransom for the debt we owed God for our sin and created peace with our holy God through His broken body and the blood He shed on the cross for the forgiveness of human sin, for those who trust in Him by faith alone. Paul then goes on to state that we can have peace with our fellow-man through the love Jesus modeled and reproduces in the lives of His followers. Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.
In other words, Jesus personally destroyed the barrier between the Jew and Gentiles who hated each other in Jesus day as He brought these two distinct people groups together into the Christian Church. If Jesus could bring such diverse people groups together into one body, think of what He can do today in such a divisive culture we live in.
The key to peace with others is the love the Holy Spirit produces in those who call Jesus Lord. The apostle John speaks of the Holy Spirit’s work as He quotes the words of Jesus … John 14:25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. The peace Jesus offers is supernatural and permanent for those who follow after Him, for those who are called His disciples.
The apostle Paul speaks of this peace that surpasses all our human understanding in the Book of Philippians, Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The peace of Jesus that surpasses all comprehension is predicated on a Christian’s obedience to a few things. 1. We must pray to God, and 2. We must thank God when we pray. This sounds easy but I assure you it is a challenge. To thank God when we pray, means we need to surrender our will to Him and trust Him that His ways are always right and superior to our own understanding, especially in tough times. However, when we do this, we are saying to God, “I may not understand You, I may not agree with You, I may not like what You are doing, but I do trust You and after all You are in control of all things, even when it looks and feels like things are out or control”. I can promise you this, prayer in praise, thanksgiving and surrender to God will bring about His peace every time and a peace unlike the world can offer.
After all there is no peace without Jesus.
Dr. Steve Brown pastors at North Summit Church, 201 North Division, Sandpoint.