Peace With God

I was driving down the street today and observed a church sign which read:  "Jesus came to earth to make peace with us."  Interesting, I thought, because I couldn't disagree more.  Jesus did not come to earth to make peace with men:  He came to earth so men could have peace with God.  There's a big difference.  God did nothing to separate or ostracize mankind from Him, nor did He declare war on man at any time.  It is man who rebelled and sinned against God!  It is man who declared in the Garden of Eden that he would not submit to the rule, authority, or commands of God.  It is man who wars against God, not God with man.  If that was the case, the battle would have been over long ago!  And contrary to the opinion of some, God would have won!

Because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, through faith we are forgiven and His righteousness is imputed to our account.  Romans 5:1-2 reads:  "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."  Again, we see scripture confirm that man has peace with God through Jesus, not Jesus making peace with man.  Man is at enmity with God, and it is we who must yield.  Jesus led the way in humility.  Although Jesus is God in human form, He made Himself of no reputation. took upon Himself the form of a servant, and made Himself obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

Do you have peace with God?  Jesus brings peace for everyone who repents and trusts in Him.  He promises in John 14:27:  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  Instead of demanding that God reveal Himself to us, why don't we ask Him to open our eyes?  Why don't we cling to His promises in faith?  God has spoken, God has revealed Himself, and God sent His only Son to save us from our sins.  If that's not good enough for us, then we aren't worthy of Him!