Our default human condition is to live in opposition to God. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, we are born with a sin nature that attempts to rule over us, take control of our minds, and keep us from the perfect peace that comes from God alone (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). Our sin causes us to be at odds with God, deserving punishment (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We cannot reach a place of peace with God on our own. We need a Savior.
God desires all of us to be at peace with Him. In fact, it was His plan to create a way by which we could forever be at peace with Him—this plan was Him sending Jesus Christ, His Son, to earth. After living a perfect life, Jesus was crucified and His sacrifice made provision for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Through Jesus' sacrifice, when we put our faith in Him, our sins are wiped away in God's sight. We have peace with God when we accept His free gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. By placing our faith in Jesus and His sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we are made pure before God (Romans 4:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and it is through Him alone that we may have peace with God (Romans 5:1). The gospel message itself is called the "gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He promised us the Holy Spirit. John 14:27 says: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." When we are Christ followers, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who provides us with the peace of God on a daily basis (Galatians 5:22–23; Philippians 4:4–9).
When we are at peace with God, it means we are able to be in a personal relationship with Him. We are free from the power of sin when we are submitted to Him as the Lord and the source of all we need. This brings incredible peace to us in all the affairs of our life. When we make mistakes, we can bring them to the Lord, seeking His forgiveness, and finding peace anew with Him (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9). We have the confident hope of an eternity in heaven with God: "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1–2).
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