Be a Peacemaker Through Him
ICS Daily Devotions
Romans 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This Scripture delivers the best news to us: Even though we have fallen short of His glory, God has chosen to restore our relationship with Him. God has decided to make known this peacemaking news through the Gospel and the whole counsel of the Bible. The Gospel is the good news of a restored relationship because if we choose Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ!
Romans 3:23 (NKJV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
This Scripture is among many where God shows us that we are sinners who have sinned against Him. In His holiness, God could have cut us off and completely eradicated us, but He didn’t. Instead, God, in His grace and mercy, initiated the establishment of an unconditional covenant, and the birth of Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the Abrahamic Covenant. Gentiles should rejoice because the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will bless all the families on earth according to God’s plan (Genesis 12:2-3). We are blessed by the Abrahamic Covenant because we are made to be accepted by the Beloved regardless of our colour, race, and nationality when we receive Christ.
We have been justified as righteous on the principle of faith. Justification means being made to stand right before God as if we have never sinned. All our sins have been cleansed and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ so we can have peace with God. Jesus is the peacemaker between God and men. Jesus says in John 15:15 that He no longer calls us servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but He calls us friends.
Romans 12:17-18 (NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
It takes both parties to bring about peace and restoration. Therefore, we should not allow strife, hatred, and unforgiveness to divide family members, friends, church members, and colleagues. Sanctification is a lifetime process. Picking up the cross means loving when it is difficult to love and doing what is right despite our desire to rebel.
The mark of spiritual maturity is walking in love. We are to show kindness in our speech and actions, being conscious of our tone, voice, and body language. We are to honour one another by showing respect, which enables us to overcome evil with good. We should listen quickly, speak slowly (James 1:19), and not retaliate in aggression but be peacemakers through Him.
Sermon Series: What Is Seventy Times Seven Times?
