Having Peace With God

I read a book recently that contained a lot of valuable points.  It is important when reading books that are not the Bible, to view them through the lens of scripture and the Gospel.  There may be many things in this world that are accepted and even seem beneficial but are not biblical.  Even as we are discerning about the ingredients of dishes or take note of calories for our physical health, we ought to be wise concerning our spiritual nutrition.  Nothing is as vital for our spiritual and practical consumption as the milk and meat of God's word.

This book about apology languages and forgiveness would have had my stamp of approval until the penultimate chapter which camped on the benefits of "apologising to ourselves."  Chapman and Thomas wrote:

"When you apologize to someone else, you hope the apology will remove the barrier between the two of you so that your relationship can continue to grow.  When you apologize to yourself, you are seeking to remove the emotional disequilibrium between the person you want to be (the ideal self) and the person you are (the real self).  The greater the distance between the ideal self and the real self, the greater the intensity of the inner emotional turmoil.  Being "at peace with oneself" occurs when we remove the distance between the ideal self and the real self."  (Chapman, Gary D., and Jennifer Thomas. The 5 Apology Languages: The Secret to Healthy Relationships. Northfield Publishing, 2022. page 158)

While some may find this helpful or insightful, this perspective is not presented or sustained anywhere in the Bible.  There is no division between an "ideal self" and the "real self," for our real self (which is inherently fleshly and sinful) cannot ascertain what our ideal self even is or how to become that person.  It is not in us to be anyone other than we are.  The only Person who can measure up to God's level of perfection worth emulating is Jesus Christ, and being God it is we who have transgressed and wronged him by our sinful thoughts, attitudes, words and conduct.  Our problem with sin is not merely an emotional one but a spiritual one, for our sin separates us from God.

Never in scripture is it put forth as our aim to "be at peace with oneself," but the Gospel has been provided so we lost and doomed sinners can have peace with God.  It is Jesus who is our Peace.  Romans 5:1-2 says, "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."  Being "at peace" suggests a transitory condition that can change based upon our circumstances or how we feel, but having peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ is a constant.  It is not about us spanning the gap by our own apologies or forgiveness that provides perfect peace, but by faith in Jesus Christ.  We confess our sins to Him, repent, receive forgiveness and access grace in which we stand.

God rejoices over one soul that repents, and we can also rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  How blessed we are who were once far from God because of our sins, yet have been brought near to God by His grace.  Inner peace is a fleeting mirage, and peace with God is what matters most to our spiritual growth and well-being.