Experiencing God's Peace - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:2).

True peace is God’s gift to those who love and obey Him.

Throughout history mankind has sought peace through military alliances, balances of power, and leagues of nations. Yet lasting peace still remains an elusive dream. Even during times of relative peace, nations struggle with internal strife and crime.

The Bible says that man on his own cannot know peace because he is alienated from its source. But we need not despair. True peace is immediately available from God our Father (the God of peace—Rom. 15:33), and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Prince of Peace—Isa. 9:6). It's a gift of God's grace to those who love and obey Jesus Christ.

The New Testament so clearly teaches the inextricable link between God's grace and peace that “Grace to you and peace” became a common greeting in the early church. Grace is God's great kindness toward those who are undeserving of His favor but who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. It is the fountain and peace is the stream. As recipients of His grace, we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1)—we are reconciled to Him through faith in His Son and we will never experience His wrath. We also have the peace of God (Phil. 4:7)—the Spirit's way of assuring us that God is in control even in the midst of difficult circumstances. That's why Paul calls it the peace that surpasses all comprehension (Phil. 4:7).

The world's peace is relative and fleeting because it is grounded in circumstances. God's peace is absolute and eternal because it is grounded in His grace. Does God's peace reign in your heart, or have you allowed sin or difficult circumstances to diminish your devotion to Christ?

Suggestions for Prayer

-Thank God that you have peace with Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

-Ask the Spirit to reveal any sin that might be hindering God's peace from ruling in your heart. Be prepared to respond in confession and repentance.

-Ask for opportunities to demonstrate God's peace to others today.

For Further Study

-Read Philippians 4:6-7.

-What is God's antidote for anxiety?

-How does God's peace affect a believer's heart and mind?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[boatbums]

The peace of God does indeed pass ALL understanding. The ungodly may look at a believer’s life and see heartache, disease, sickness, outward disasters and are dumbfounded that they could still be at peace. It just doesn’t make sense to unbelievers. Even us Christians at times have doubts that God loves us, sees our suffering and is in control but when we do as He tells us and cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us and to be anxious for nothing, He gives us that precious peace in spite of the negatives and doubts. The older I get the more I know this is absolutely true. When we rest in His grace and love for us, the peace of God that passes all understanding will sustain us - it will guard our hearts. Like the three friends of Daniel who were cast into the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar, God can deliver us out of the fire, through the fire or by the fire.