Just a Thought: The greatest peace we could ever have is ours to recognize and receive. There is a peacefulness we all have been offered that would overcome all other restlessness if we would do three things. First, we must recognize what it is. Second, we must receive it for ourselves. Third, we must put it into practical action in our lives. In other words, we must live it. What is this peacefulness that overcomes all other restlessness? The Apostle Paul tells us. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Rom 5:1) The greatest peace we could ever hope for and the peace that will overcome all restlessness is to have peace with (or between) us and God. Now we must recognize what that is. Peace with God comes from recognizing that God Himself through Jesus sacrificial birth, death and resurrection has provided the pardon for our sins. Jesus came to die on the cross in our place, paying in full our penalty (Rom. 6:23). It is through receiving by faith Jesus and Jesus alone (Jn. 14:6) that we become the children of God (Jn. 1:11-12). It is through Jesus death and resurrection we are justified (declared not guilty) of our sins. I must recognize God has chosen in His righteousness to acquit me of guilt based on Jesus taking my place and paying my sin debt. Charles Swindoll explains justification this way, “It is not “Just as if I’ve never sinned.” That is too shallow. It is “although I am a dirty sinner, He died for me and sees me as clean.” Once I recognize what God has already done for me, I must receive it for myself. That is to say, I must personalize it. I must receive by faith that Jesus didn’t die for all men (though He did). I must receive by faith Jesus died for ME! He literally paid my debt. He took my place on the cross. He came for, died for and rose for ME! And believing upon Him, I must receive or personally take Him as my savior and call upon Him as my Lord (God and ruler of my life). To truly receive Him does not mean I say, “Okay, I believe it.” and then keep living as I was. It means my life becomes His (Gal. 2:20, 5:24). Almost every encounter with Jesus (the ones which resulted in belief) resulted in complete change in those who made a commitment to follow Him as Lord. If you want to know if you have truly received Jesus, ask yourself what and how is my life different since I believed upon Him? Finally, we must put this peace into practice. To have peace with God (the literal text reads “Let us keep on having peace with God…”) Means we have resolved the greatest conflict of our entire lives. All times present and eternal have been settled in this one gift of peace. Presently I live knowing the God of all creation, heaven and earth is in total and complete control of all things. Nothing can touch me that does not pass through His sovereign, righteous hands first and meet His approval. In other words everything that comes my way has divine approval and purpose and can and will be used by the Lord (Rom. 8:28-29). And all of eternity is settled. Jesus is preparing a place of eternal rest for me where He is and where He is I will eternally be (Jn. 14: 1-3).What burden what concern, what trouble can disrupt this kind of peace? None, if I recognize what it is. Receive it as my own and live in it applying it practically to my life every day! The greatest peace we could ever have is ours to recognize and receive. My friend, if your life is in turmoil today. If you are heavy burdened today. If you are restless today, I invite you to enter into peace with God through faith and trust in Jesus. If you are a believer and are still restless today. I invite you to recognize, receive and practice the peace you have been given in Jesus name. For we have the greatest peace. A peace that overcomes all other restlessness. Take it and live it today.
