Finding Peace...With a Personal God

Could God want you to have a personal relationship with Him? Before you answer, think about the fact that He created you with your own set of fingerprints. Would God create you with such detail if He did not want to be with you? Jesus Christ taught you can have a personal relationship with God. Read Ephesians 2:14-19.

The key to finding peace with a personal God, is being able to understand the need for the life of Jesus Christ. He came to make peace between man and God. This implies man is at odds with God.

Why is man at odds with God? Our sins are repulsive to Him. Our sins have separated us from Him. Because man sins, he is without God, and without hope. Read Isaiah 59:2, Ephesians 2:12. Have you ever considered your position with God?

God loves us, even in our sins Ephesians 2:4,5a. God the Father sent Jesus Christ to us, to make peace with us. He reached out to us first! He wants us to sit together and fellowship with him in heavenly places. We can fellowship with God even while on earth. We can be close to God because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

Peace is hard to find, isn't it?   We spend countless dollars on homes, cars, clothes, vacation packages and entertainment. But what we're looking for we'll never find in a bigger home, a newer car, or at the beach, or on the Web.

What we're all looking for is contentment, and that can't be found in what we have or in what we do. Contentment and true peace are found only in a relationship with a person-Jesus Christ.

Are you looking for something that's missing? Do you need peace? Then listen to what Jesus said to His disciples-and to what He says to us today:

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives." (John 14:27)

God's peace is unshakable and eternal and best of all, it's free. We simply need to accept the gift He offers.

Is there anything that will keep me from having this peace?

Yes. Sin will keep you from having perfect peace with God. Sin is anything we do which violates God's will. The Bible explains in the book of Romans 3:10 - 12, "As it is written, there is none righteous; not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless. There is none who does good, there is not even one."

The phrase "none righteous" tells us that none of us are declared right with God. Therefore, we are not able to "understand" how to be with God. We have turned aside from God's way and have become useless to Him. As a result, not one person does good in God's sight.

Our sin keeps us from having peace. Our sin keeps us from God's presence. And, our sin can prevent us from going to Heaven when we die. Remember, Romans 3:23 reads, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Am I really a sinful person?

To understand why we are sinful we must know what sin is. God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. Sin violates God's will, and God's will is that we obey the law (the Ten Commandments) perfectly. That is God's standard for living. The Bible says, "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous [or free from blame]" (Romans 2:13).

Have you obeyed the law perfectly? If you've lied even one time, then you've broken the ninth commandment. If you've ever been jealous of someone else's family or possessions, then you've broken the tenth commandment. Ever been disrespectful to your parents? Then you've blown the fifth commandment.

When we fail to obey one commandment we are guilty of failing all of them. James 2:10 states, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all." Our failure to obey is sin. Everyone of us has failed to obey; everyone of us has sinned. There is only one exception: Jesus Christ.

What is the result of my sinful condition?

Initially, our sin separates us from God. Romans 6:23a reads, "For the wages of sin is death…." Death is separation. The payment for our sin is separation from the God who cannot tolerate sin because He is holy.

And sin prevents us from having peace. Psalm 38:18b declares, "I am full of anxiety because of my sin." You must get rid of that burden of sin.

Ultimately, if we die in our sin, we will go to Hell. Revelation 20:15 states, "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Eternal separation from the God who cannot allow sin means eternity in Hell.

Can I earn acceptance with God by living a good life and doing good deeds?

It is impossible to earn acceptance with God by doing good. God's way is perfect holiness (no sin). No person is able to be perfect in God's sight. All our works are imperfect. Titus 3:5a clearly states, "He (God) saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness (goodness), but according to His mercy…."

Unfortunately, we do not see ourselves as God sees us. Every person tries to convince himself that he is right with God. But God knows his heart to be full of sin. Proverbs 21:2 reminds us, "Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart."

How can I become acceptable to God?

First, realize you cannot save yourself. God has provided the way of salvation. Romans 5:8 explains that "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." The Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin when He died on the Cross. He was nailed to that Cross with spikes that pierced His hands and feet. The sinless blood that He shed paid the price for our sin. As a result, because Christ took our punishment, we can be saved from our sin.

Second, you must believe the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead. I Corinthians 15:3 - 4 states, "…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." Christ's resurrection showed that He had the power over death.

Third, rather than trying to earn peace with God, you must be willing to accept God's free gift of eternal life. Romans 6:23 reveals that, "…the wages of sin is death (separation from God), but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." When you receive the free gift of eternal life, you will have peace.

How do I receive this free gift of eternal life?

To begin with, you must be willing to repent. The Bible in II Peter 3:9b explains that the Lord is "…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." The word repent means a changed mind that leads to a changed life. Are you willing to change your mind about your sinful nature? Are you willing to admit that you are as sinful as God's Word declares? Are you willing to give up your old lifestyle and let Jesus show you a new way of living?

Next, you must be willing to accept that fact that Jesus is God. Romans 10:9 shows "…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." The Lord and Ruler of all Creation wants to save you from your sin.

Finally, you must be willing to ask Christ to save you. The Bible reveals in Romans 10:13 that "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." In fact, the Lord Jesus promises to the one who calls that… "I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish…. (John 10:28a). Do you want the free gift of eternal life?

What should I say when I pray?

1. Admit to the Lord Jesus that you are a sinner.

2. Tell Him that you are willing to repent of your sin.

3. Ask Him to come into your heart and save you right now.

Remember, the words that you speak do not save you. The attitude of your heart toward God is the key to the gift of eternal life. Ask Him to save you right now! Then, you too, can have peace with God.

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