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"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Rom. 5:1). To be justified is to be made righteous. We are justified by faith which is a faith that obeys the Lord (Gal. 5:6). Being justified by faith we have peace with God. Peace is the Greek "eirene" meaning "unity, concord". The only peace we can have on earth is through the Lord Jesus Christ and with our God. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27). This peace comes when we are reconciled to God by the cross of Jesus Christ and in the body of Christ. "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances: for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace: And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:" (Eph. 2:14-16). This peace is continued as we are "in nothing be anxious; 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 guard your hearts and your thoughts in Jesus Christ" (Phil. 4:6,7 ASV). Jesus promises us rest from our burdens when we come to him and when we take up our yokes and follow him we will find rest to our souls eternally (Mat. 11:28-30). Men need to come to Christ and follow the teachings of Christ. These are the only ones who truly find peace. Many people have sought peace by building a nice house, planting gardens, having beautiful yards only to find that peace is not an earthly possession. Some have sought peace by going to a psychiatrist only to learn that he cannot convey to another peace because he does not have any peace himself. Some think that peace can be had by urban renewal in building houses for the poor or supplying the food, clothing of the same people. They find that there is still strife, chaos, and all the ills that there were before those houses were built and the food was provided. Others seek peace by means of alcohol, drugs, or tranquilizers but they find torment instead. Others seek peace in pleasures of this life but find them to be only temporary, leaving an emptiness of life. In Hebrews 11:25 the pleasures of sin are said to be only for a season. Some seek peace in human achievements in the educational realm which are commendable, but he finds as Solomon said , "of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (Ecc. 12:12). H. G. Wells the atheist said, "I cannot adjust my life to secure any fruitful peace...Here I am at sixty-five still seeking for peace...that dignified peace is a hopeless dream." Denying God creates a dread of death because he knows that he just might face that God he denied. Some seek a way out of their troubles by committing suicide. They think they will have peace but this would be only the beginning of their troubles. It is said of Judas who hanged himself that he by transgression fell and went to his own place (Acts 1:25). He is called a son of perdition (John 17:12). Thus, to perdition did he go and so shall all sane people who commit suicide. There is no peace in this place but everlasting torment and anguish (Mat. 25:30). Augustine said, "Our hearts, O God, were made for thee; and never shall they rest until they rest in thee." How true is that statement. Christ is the prince of peace (Isa. 9:6). He is the dayspring from on high to "guide our feet into the way of peace." (Lk. 1:79). He is the one who brings peace on earth and good will to men (Lk. 2:10). To find this peace in Christ we need to believe with all our hearts, repent of every sin, confess faith in Christ and be buried in baptism so we can be saved and added to the Lord's church. (Mk. 16:6; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:47). We need then to worship God, and teach others the gospel. In this we are helping others to have the peace we enjoy. We also need to buffet our bodies and bring them into subjection because worldly living will destroy our peace with God (2 Cor. 6:14-18). When we do these things we have peace here with God and when we reach heaven we will have peace forevermore.
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