“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God… We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:1-10
We might think peace comes only with the door closed on mayhem, the screen dark, the earphones snug, the house quiet, and the battle ceased. But that peace is as the world gives, and Jesus offers different, and better. There’s much more between therefore and peace. (John 14:27)
The peace He makes available was achieved when a perfect body was pierced, a thick veil was torn, a war over sin and death was won, and sinners were justified. These were no simple turn-offs of worldly ruckus, or dismissals of unpleasantness, but rather the Chosen One bleeding and dying for wrath-deserving enemies to make them friends. We sinners were weak, ungodly, and death-bound, and our precious Savior gave Himself to be our way, and therefore open to us a life of peace we would never otherwise know. Such costly reconciliation, accessed by faith in and through grace, enables us to stand in hope.
This side of peace made and entered, we endure present pain differently and purposefully. When the peace of God that transcends human understanding rules our hearts and guards our minds, we can rejoice in trials and persevere as our Lord Christ did. We grow in the fruit of suffering as His love pours into and out of our agonies, and that fruit is sweet. Having been reconciled, we reconcile with others, and make every effort to live peacefully with them. (Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:12-15; Hebrews 12:1-2; James 1:2-4)
Are we prone to restlessness, agitation, or worry? Do we wrestle with feeling insufficient, or undeserving? Would we choose instead to behold the uncontainable love of Christ on the cross, and worship this selfless Redeemer? He is the amazing One! He the Reconciler! He Jehovah Shalom! (Philippians 2:5-11)
“How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure…
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.” ~Stuart Townend (2006)
Father, keep me resting in Your peace, and rejoicing in Your great salvation all the day .
As the rain and snow 