Peace in Christ

How is true peace achieved, and thereby, true happiness experienced? Such an endeavor is essentially at the heart of everyone’s pursuit in life. The antithesis of peace is, of course, conflict and dissension—a sobering reality that has plagued mankind since the Fall in Genesis chapter three. Let’s be honest, experiencing a lack of peace in our lives can be pretty miserable and vexatious. Think of the last time you were not at peace with your spouse, your child, your boss, a neighbor, a sibling, or parent. Conflict has a tendency to fester, and if left unresolved over time, it results in additional stress, pain and bitterness. Conflict is corrosive and consequently destructive. We were made to love and enjoy unity with our fellow man and harmony with God, but sin always has a way of disrupting the design and purposes of God. In Ephesians 2:14, the apostle Paul declares that Jesus Christ is our ultimate peace. His death and resurrection reverse our hopeless condition, making possible the peace and happiness we were made to enjoy. Paul says in 1 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 gospel message is about God pursuing sinners to save them from sin and unto everlasting joy through Jesus Christ. It is about God tearing down the wall of hostility that existed between Him and the sons and daughters of Adam, and restoring the peace that Adam lost. This peace comes through the reconciling blood of the cross of Christ (Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:13). And it’s this peace that ought to permeate our lives as we look to and rely on the Prince of Peace. – Pastor Nate 

Sunday at Liberty