Devotional: Peace With God

Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, having justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2, NASB). It is election time in America. There are at least five candidates seeking to be the next president of the United States of America. There are many issues that need to be addressed. The most important one is who is best qualified to be the commander-in-chief who will protect the citizens and bring us closer to peace with the nations of the world? The word peace generally means the absence of conflict and war. Can the people of the world form a lasting peace? It seems that there are too many cultural and religious barriers for any hope of a lasting peace among people. In Romans Paul quotes the words of the prophet who describes the ways of people who have turned away from God (vv. 10-16). He concludes that the way of peace is not known to those who are without God. Thus, human conflict finds its origin in human separation from God. Is there hope for peace? There is hope. God has made peace possible through Jesus Christ. In this life we may experience a temporary and external peace, but the way to a lasting peace is to enter into God’s kingdom through the Son of God. Thus faith in Jesus gives us peace with God in our hearts. With His peace we are able to extend peace to others. Our Father in heaven we pray that the words of the angels will become true for more people each day. May we be ambassadors of yours who proclaim “‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased’” (Luke 2:14). Amen.