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

When the readings get to such meaningful and familiar passages as this, it’s hard to decide what to write on. These are verses that surface automatically in our thoughts and conversations on a wide variety of subjects. This verse brings to mind the reality that the majority of mankind has placed itself in conflict with our Creator, and most of them don’t even realize it. We go about our lives however seems right or convenient to us, not considering that we might be in violation of some of the fundamental laws of our existence. The other day I saw a short video on the Internet of a rather attractive young woman, 30s perhaps, who was talking about having had a date with an “older” man that progressed to physical intimacy, and then she discovered that man was the father of one of her close friends. It hadn’t occurred to her that there might be anything wrong with her activities until she discovered the connection, and even then, she was only worried about her relationship with her friend. She has no idea that she is at war with God! On the far end of that scale, there are people who are intentionally against God. That has got to be the most stupid thing possible, because how could finite man possibly win against infinite God? Actually, the same thing might be said about the devil himself, because his fate was sealed from the moment of his rebellion. The answer to all that is repentance and faith, which the devil will never pursue, and sadly, many people won’t either. God allows the devil’s activities at this point because our faith needs to be an active choice. Free will is meaningless if no negative choices are possible. God in His wisdom has prepared redemption for us through His Son, which He knew would be necessary from the moment of Creation. That’s why Jesus is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth.” (Revelation 13:8) God knows our wayward hearts, and He loves us anyway, even to the point of giving His Son to save us from our sins. Knowing that is what true peace is all about.

I have known the outlines of this for as long as I can remember, but it came home to me when God showed me how much I needed His salvation, how badly I had been putting myself in conflict with Him. The thing is, my human nature keeps pulling me in directions that are in conflict with my God, as much as I love and desire to serve Him. True peace with Him is dependent on consistent submission and obedience, and is only possible because of His grace and mercy. This verse is as important for me, a missionary pastor, as it is for anyone else. I am not to be anxious about my salvation, but at the same time I am never to take it for granted. I am to live it out in daily, consistent obedience, to gain all that God has intended for me, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for getting us through the very long day yesterday. Thank You for my confusion in getting into the parking lot, to keep me from being proud. Thank You for the people who seemed to be blessed by our presence. Thank You for the woman who was so pleased to meet “Cathy Garrott, whom she had heard so much about.” You have certainly given me a magnificent partner! I do pray that everything You said through us yesterday, in various ways, would remain with those who received it and draw them to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!