Richard Long
Catoctin Church of Christ
(10/1) Finding forgiveness from God starts us on the road to peace! Peace is obtainable to everyone, but God must be in the equation for finding it. Peace will not come without believing and trusting our God to the fullest by accepting His Word as what is best for us. Without faith it is impossible to please God. That faith is built on
hearing and accepting what God has to say in His Bible. So then faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. By building a faith from hearing God’s Word, by trusting and obeying it, thus allowing us to draw closer and closer to God.
The beginning of peace is knowing that the Word of God will guide us through the adversities of life, trusting that God knows what is best for us. All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God. As hard as it might be for us to accept adversities that come our way, when they do our faith is tested and steadfastness is produced. Suffering the adversities of life can help us
to learn true obedience and a dependency on God. God allows adversities to come our way to bring about patience and true obedience in our lives and the result is that we grow and mature in Christ. No one can escape adversities, they come to the good and the bad but there can be a great blessing when we are enduring these trials of life and that is peace!
Maybe a good question to ask is, "What is peace?" There can be peace between two individuals or two nations when fighting ceases, if there was war. There is freedom from strife and a feeling of security and safety that makes peace possible. There is the concept of peace between human beings, peace with God and also peace within the person. Job said, “Man that is born of woman
is of few days and full of trouble.” It seems we are being constantly challenged to face all kinds of adversities, whether we are a Christian or non-Christian. Our lives are shaped to some degree by how we handle them. Romans chapter 12 urges us to get along with our fellow man and gives the reason. If possible, so far as it depends on you, love peaceably with all. James
adds, “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
But more importantly than being at peace with our fellow man is peace with God. Our problem with God is that we want to do our thing rather than do what God says for us to do. How many times do we think that we know better than God who created us. Peace with God requires two basic factors, first, a Redeemer that can reconcile God and man. Second, a willingness on our part to
be reconciled to God. Jesus the Son of God had to come to earth and pay the penalty of our rebellion against God in order for God to forgive us. That forgiveness comes only with obedience to God’s plan for our salvation and that reconciles us with God. II Corinthians 5:19 in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and
entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
The second part of that reconciliation and have peace requires both parties to be willing and do their part to make peace. God has done His part and is willing to be reconciled to man. Now it is up to us to want this peace and to do our part to have peace with God. For the most part our biggest stumbling block is that men have tried to change what God has instructed us to do
to be reconciled. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” What did Jesus mean to become like children? He meant we are to have the faith of children. Children believe loving parents or grandparents can do anything and so it is with our relationship with God. We must obey God’s plan for
reconciliation to have peace with God. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. If we want peace with God, we must have the right
relationship with God and that comes by obeying His instructions on how to have our sins forgiven.
The reconciled person dies to the old life of rebellion and becomes an obedient servant of God. This peace with God comes from having a right relationship with God. God must become and stay a part of our lives for peace. We can have peace with our fellow man, but it is not always possible because they may not want peace, but we can choose to have peace with God and no one can
prevent that. It is a choice we make personally. When we have peace with God the result will be peace within us. This should bring us a calm assurance that "all is well within my world." When we are trying to have peace with others and we have chosen to have peace with God by obeying Him will people notice a change in us? Yes they will and this can bring anger, jealousy and a
desire on their part to bring us back to their world, but God has an answer for that.
Philippians 4:6-7 says “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” The word anxious does not mean we are not concerned about the adversities that come to our lives. It means not to let the adversities draw us away for our Lord and Savior. Do you believe this? This is the reason we
must have faith in God and His Word. Where is your faith? In yourself, or someone or something else because if it is you will never find the peace that God is offering. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Being at peace with ourselves and God is one of the greatest blessing offered "in Christ." God has promised those that are willing to accept Christ as their Savior, then choosing to follow the plan He brought to earth with Him from His Father in heaven, will have a great life. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it
abundantly. I encourage you to think seriously about being at peace with God by following His instructions recorded in His Bible. The result will be peace but also an abundant life as long as you live on earth. The greatest life to live is the life God has planned out for us in His Bible. Study with us to learn more about how to have the greatest life possible filled with
peace!
To learn more about Catoctin Church of Christ join them for
Sunday service at 140 N Carroll St, Thurmont.
