True Peace

Man in his natural state is God’s enemy, and knows not the way of peace (Rom. 3:17). But, blessed be God, He is not man’s enemy. He is his friend. God is love, and He loved the world. And He not only loved it, but has given the greatest proof of His love it is possible for Him to give. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Gave Him for sinners, ― His enemies; and made peace through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20). The death of Christ met all God’s claims against the sinner once for all. Moreover, God raised Him from the dead to His own right hand in glory (1 Peter 1:21); and now, as a righteous and just God, presents Him as the object of faith to sinners, saying, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but shall receive remission of sins and everlasting life. Dear reader, dolt thou believe on the Son of God? “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
God has been infinitely more glorified in the death of His Son, than if sin had never entered the world; and peace is made (John 17:4; Col. 1:20). You have not to make it. It is done. Believe on Him, and peace with God is yours. Believe on Him, and the blessed words of Romans 4:25 and verse 1 refer to you, “Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Not, we hope to have; nor, we shall have if; but, we have. This is true peace; peace founded wholly and solely on the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Word declares it; the Word of Him who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Faith appropriates it. Every believer is justified; justified by faith in His glorious Person and finished work. By grace on God’s part, faith on ours, the blood of Christ the basis, peace with God the result. True peace; present, permanent, and everlasting.
Once you believe, you are at peace with God, now and forever. Nothing can touch it, because nothing can touch Christ or His work. We have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Have you it?
But your enjoyment of this peace is another thing. That depends upon your walk and ways. Nothing can alter the blessed fact, that the believer in Jesus is at peace with God, and that forever; but a careless walk will mar your communion with God, and your enjoyment of this blessed peace, which alone can be restored through the advocacy of Christ, and the confession of sins (1 John 1:9; 2:5).
The peace of God is a distinct thing, enjoyed by the believer in Jesus, who follows the exhortation of the Apostle in Philippians 4:6, 7. “Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Have you peace with God? E. H. C.