It
is precious, wonderful, and at times, rare. The world longs for peace but it
always seems to be elusive. It is said of the Ottoman Turkish Empire
(1300-1922) that there were only 24 consecutive years of peace throughout its
entire history; otherwise, they were either fighting to take territory or to
retain it.
While
the world survived two world wars and a cold war, today there remain global
hotspots, particularly in Asia, that are like dry tinder in a hot summer. One
misguided spark and the region, if not the world, could go up in flames.
Add
to that how even in the relatively prosperous and peaceful western world, many
people lack personal peace, even as Christians. Be assured, this is not God’s
will and He does have the best way forward.
In
Part One, we learned that God has peace that surpasses all understanding. It is
freely given, universal in scope, and eternal in duration. We learned that the
pre-requisite to receiving this peace is to make a decision to obey Jesus’ command:
don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).
Here
in Part Two, we want to learn how to establish God’s peace in your life.
In
regard to the cause of conflict, even war, we need not go any further than the
Book of James:
James
4:1-3 (MEV): Where do wars and fights among you come
from? Do they not come from your lusts that war in your body? 2 You lust and do
not have, so you kill. You desire to have and cannot obtain. you fight and war.
Yet you do not have, because you do not ask. 3. You ask, and do not receive,
because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your passions.
Bad
as this - that our lusts cause conflict and war - there is something even
worse. Humanity is serious danger of incurring the wrath of God, in part
because of the lusts, greed, and sin. The Book of Romans says that God’s wrath
is being stored up against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (1:18), hardness
and impenitent hearts (2:5), and contentious people who do not obey the truth.
Though we are made in God’s image, our sin nature and actions have put as in
enmity towards God. The carnal mind is on a
collision course with God and it cannot be subject to His law (8:7).
Frankly,
it is the most dire situation to be an enemy with the living God, but that’s
what Romans tells us. Yet, God unilaterally instituted a solution to rectify
this situation.
It
is called the gospel of Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, was buried and rose
again on the 3rd day; this is the gospel in a nutshell. Believe this and
receive Him and an amazing thing happens. We are ‘saved’ and ‘justified,’ which
means we are declared not guilty and righteous.
Peace
Established
Do
you want to enter the peace process? From the very outset, God’s peace will
come upon your heart and mind. A tranquility beyond your own enablement will
enter in. How do you get it?
Say
‘Yes’ to the gospel and the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ, receive
justification, and look what comes next:
Therefore, having been justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ — Romans 5:1
It
couldn’t been easier or clearer. When the Prince of Peace comes into your life,
you are reconciled with God, adopted into His family, grafted into Israel’s
olive tree (Romans 11:17-24) justification sets in, and a peace beyond all
understanding will take control of your life.
Till
this day, I will never forget the feeling of joy and peace I received when I
asked Jesus into my life. That peace has stayed with me ever since. What God
has done for me, He will do for you.
Unlike
the manmade ‘peace process,’ where peace is given in instalments, God gives you
complete peace on the spot. Yet, it is possible to grow in peace, like you can
grow in grace, faith and glory. In fact, you can come to a place of great
peace, perfect peace, and permanent peace.
Our
upcoming articles will show you how.
Verses
to Ponder
Romans
5:9
Much
more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through him.
Colossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of
his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether
they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
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