| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"Peter G. Chase" |
| Date: |
24 Apr 2004 01:30:34 AM |
| Object: |
DN Christ Is Our Peace 4/24/2004 |
DRAWING NEAR
April 24
Christ Is Our Peace
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of
God" (Matt. 5:9).
After World War II the United Nations was created to promote world
peace. But since its inception in 1945 there has not been a single
day of global peace. That's a sad commentary on man's inability to
make peace. In fact, someone once quipped that Washington D.C. has so
many peace monuments because they build one after every war!
It hasn't always been that way. Prior to the Fall of man peace
reigned on the earth because all creation was in perfect harmony with
its Creator. But sin interrupted peace by alienating man from God and
bringing a curse upon the earth. Man couldn't know true peace because
he had no peace in his heart. That's why Jesus came to die.
I once read a story about a couple at a divorce hearing whose
conflict couldn't be resolved. They had a four-year-old boy who
became distressed and teary-eyed over what was happening. While the
couple was arguing, the boy reached for his father's hand and his
mother's hand and pulled until he joined them.
In a sense that's what Christ did: He provided the righteousness that
allows man and God to join hands. Romans 5:1 says that those who are
justified by faith have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:20 says that God reconciled all things to Himself
through the blood of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Yet on the surface, the scene at the cross wasn't peaceful at all.
Pain, sorrow, humiliation, hatred, mockery, darkness, and death were
oppressively pervasive, but through it all Christ was doing what He
alone could do: making peace between man and God. He paid the supreme
price to give us that precious gift.
In the future, Jesus will return as Prince of Peace to establish a
kingdom of peace that will usher us into an eternal age of peace. In
the meantime He reigns over the hearts of all who love Him. Let His
peace reign in your heart today!
Suggestions for Prayer:
Thank God for the peace of heart that comes from knowing Christ.
For Further Study:
Read Philippians 4:6-9. What must a person do to know God's peace?
Drawing Near, Copyright c 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Romans 5:1 (NKJV)
5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:20
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the
blood of His cross.
Philippians 4:6-9
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is
any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these
things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,
these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
http://www.gty.org/Gospel/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
.
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