Finding Peace with God
In our journey through the book of Romans, we come to a pivotal moment in chapter 5, verse 1. Here, the Apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” To truly grasp the significance of this statement, we must pay attention to the verb tenses used.
A Moment of Justification
The Greek text makes it clear that our justification is a past event. It is based on Christ’s finished work on the cross, which occurred nearly 2,000 years ago. Additionally, it is based on the specific moment in time when we, as individuals, accepted Christ as our Savior. This moment of justification is crucial, just as a marriage requires a specific moment in the past when two people entered into a contractual relationship.
God’s Peace with Us
The first and most important aspect of our peace with God is not the peace we feel in our own hearts, but rather the fact that God is at peace with us. Our sin once separated us from God, but through Christ’s finished work, God has declared us justified. As a result, He is at peace with us.
True Peace in Our Hearts
Because God is at peace with us, we can now have a genuine relationship with Him and experience true peace in our hearts. Many people strive for inner peace through various means, but these efforts ultimately lead to disappointment unless they involve a return to our created purpose and relationship with God. The only way to achieve this is by having our guilt removed through Christ’s finished work.
A Lasting Peace
Once our guilt is removed, we can experience a peace that is not fleeting or false. This peace will never disappoint us, as it is rooted in our reconciliation with God through Christ. As we continue on our journey, may we remember the significance of our justification and the peace it brings, both in our relationship with God and in our own hearts.
This reflection is inspired by the writings of Francis Schaeffer, a renowned Christian thinker and author. His work continues to influence and inspire people around the world.
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