Today's Verse
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1 CSB
Devotion
The Apostle Paul declares that because of what Christ has done for us (in His sacrifice and death), it is through that work the believer has peace with God. Simply put, we are no longer at war with God and His righteous standards. Paul is not saying that those who believe will always have and be at peace in life. Rather, he is declaring that our belief and faith in Christ allows us to be at peace with God. No longer condemned in sin, but set free through the power of His blood and the forgiveness of our sin. In Christ, our standing before God is sure and complete.
As a child I deeply wanted to be a member of a certain sports club in my school. For months I was not accepted and could not participate in their events and gatherings. It hurt and left me uneasy until, finally, the invitation came. I accepted becoming a member whereby I enjoyed all the benefits and status of being a member of this club. But it was upon the club’s invitation, not my doing, that I could become a member. The same is with the work of Christ. It is His doing on the cross that provides the invitation to receive forgiveness and through what He has done, we become righteous before God. No longer at enmity with God (going against His ways in sin), but being at peace with God and enjoying the peace of God as we journey through life (Rom 8:7, Eph 2:15-16).
In all my years in ministry, I am still amazed when I come across a person who looks forward to meeting God upon death so they can give Him a piece of their mind. It’s laughable and sad at the same time to think one is so lofty (let alone worthy) to tell God how it should have been. Today, there are many who still reject the offer of forgiveness through Christ; let this never be you, beloved of God. By the work of Christ, know you are forgiven, accepted, and you have access to God now and forever. The veil has been torn in two. You are blessed with a mutual love relationship with God. No longer going against His righteous standards, but in harmony with God having peace that surpasses all human understanding but is divine and awesome in Him.
By David Massie, Friend of Bible League, USA
@BibleLeague
@AutoGuru48 @AuthenticBroth1