Year Book of Daily Devotions — October 30

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith—we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1”

PEACE is a favorite word with Paul. His life was full of suffering, care, toil, and trial; yet his epistles are starred all over with the bright word 'peace'.

He speaks of different kinds of peace. Here it is "peace with God." This means the consciousness of reconciliation with God. Sin separates us from God. While guilt is in the heart, there is no peace with God. We cannot look into God's face. But when we have repented of our sins, and have confessed them, and received God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we have peace with God.

Paul speaks elsewhere of "the peace of God." Writing from a prison, he exhorted his friends, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This is a step farther than peace with God. It is the peace which holds the heart quiet and still—in the midst of whatever things are hard and trying in this world. It comes from resting in God's love, and leaving all tangled things in his hands. Christ promised the same peace when he said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you."

Peace is named as one of the fruits of the Spirit. It comes, therefore, through having the Holy Spirit in our heart, and is not an earthly attainment.