Peace with God
In Romans 5:1 Paul reveals that: “… since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ….”
Since the fall of Adam, we have been separated from God. It is as if mankind has been at war with God and His wrath has been upon us because of our sin. Though I did not realize it at the time, the Holy Spirit began to draw me to the Word of God before I gave my life to Christ. Yet each time I opened the pages of the Bible, I felt God’s anger poured out upon me. Truth be told, God’s wrath was upon me because I had not yet asked for Him to forgive my sin. I felt separated from the Lord because I was! But that all changed the moment I gave my life to Christ!
I knew that God had wanted me to do things His way for some time, but I had been determined to be the captain of my own ship, as it were! I had so wanted to control my own destiny and do life my way, in my own strength that I had been unwilling to relinquish control to Him. But one night I came to the realization that with me in charge I had sailed myself into trouble. I’d run aground, and my life was being broken apart before my very eyes! I knew I couldn’t go on the way I was; and so that night as I lay in the darkness I prayed. I acknowledged the mess I had made and I asked God to forgive me. I remember saying to Him: “God, I don’t know if you still want my life but if you do, will you please take it?” and I released control of my life to Him. I felt the power of the Holy Spirit touch me and I knew that His answer was “Yes!”
Over the next days a remarkable peace began to grow in my heart; and though I still found it difficult to concentrate on His Word, I no longer felt His anger when I opened the Bible! I slowly came to know the truth of Romans 5:1 — that by faith, I now had peace with God because of Jesus. My guilt had been washed away by Christ’s blood shed on the cross for me; and though I had once been exiled from God’s presence, because of Jesus I now found myself able to boldly approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, knowing that He would show me mercy and grace and that He would help me put my life back together just as He promised in Hebrews 4:16. And I know that He will help you – if you will just put your faith in Jesus Christ!
I want you to know that there is no sin that He cannot forgive. If He was able to reach down and save me, He is able to do the same for you, no matter the depth of your sin! You may have been separated from God and under His wrath, but you don’t have to stay there. You can know peace with Him because Jesus has settled your debt by taking the punishment for your sin upon Himself. There is no other name given to men under heaven by which we must be saved — so put your faith in Jesus, ask for His forgiveness and you will find peace with God, just as I have!
May God bless you
Michele
