"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...." (Romans 5:1)
I am "justified," declared innocent, holy, in a right relationship with the "Eternal One" only in Jesus Christ. Could we also say, "I am justified in my existence only 'by faith...through our Lord Jesus Christ?'" Furthermore, I can attest to our text that I have found peace in none other.
Turmoil may best describe our world and those whose lives have not found this, "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The President of George Washington University during the 1960s gave one of the most penetrating descriptions of our age: "I'm afraid our neat, little, predictable world is vanishing, and that man is becoming more and more a lonely creature in the universe, doubting the mastery even of his own existence. Our fear of physical death has been transcended by that of even a greater fear--------- totally meaninglessness." Augustine expressed man's struggle in life this way, "Thou has made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless 'til they find their rest in Thee." Man is in the quagmire of his own rebellious pursuit of happiness and peace.
"Peace with God"---- most do not realize it, but what they are really seeking is this. But they will never find it in a "this," only in a "Him." Jesus Christ still calls to all the "lonely creature[s] in the universe," "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Oh, that we could know the depths of His call.
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to know such depths! Amen.
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When an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2