A Mind at Perfect Peace with God Sermon

Introduction

Text: Romans 5:1

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1

A mind at perfect peace with God;

O what a word is this!

A sinner reconciled through blood;

This, this indeed is peace.

2

By nature and by practice far,

How very far from God;

Yet now by grace brought nigh to Him,

Through faith in Jesus’ blood.

3

So nigh, so very nigh to God,

I cannot nearer be;

For in the person of His Son

I am as near as He.

4

So dear, so very dear to God,

More dear I cannot be;

The love wherewith He loves the Son,

Such is His love to me.

5

Why should I ever anxious be,

Since such a God is mine?

He watches o’er me night and day,

And tells me “Mine is thine.”

Peace is one of the greatest needs of mankind.

Every day people search for peace.

Some seek it through wealth, believing that financial security will bring peace.

Others seek it through pleasure, relationships, education, or success.

Yet despite all these pursuits, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty remain.

The reason is simple: man's greatest problem is not financial, social, political, or emotional.

Man's greatest problem is spiritual. He is separated from God by sin.

This beautiful hymn begins with a remarkable statement:

"A mind at perfect peace with God."

Notice it does not merely say peace of mind. It says peace with God.

A person may have temporary peace of mind and yet remain under God's judgment.

True peace begins when the sinner is reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

This hymn unfolds five wonderful truths about the believer's relationship with God.

I. The Miracle of Reconciliation

"A sinner reconciled through blood; This, this indeed is peace."

The greatest miracle in the universe is not creation, nor the parting of the Red Sea, nor even the raising of Lazarus.

The greatest miracle is that a holy God can receive guilty sinners into His presence.

A. The Problem of Sin

The Bible teaches that every person is born a sinner.

Romans 3:23:

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Sin is not merely wrongdoing. It is rebellion against God.

Before salvation we are not neutral toward God.

Romans 5:10 calls us "enemies."

The natural heart opposes God's authority.

B. The Price of Peace

Peace could not be obtained cheaply.

God could not overlook sin.

Justice demanded payment.

At Calvary Jesus Christ bore our guilt.

Isaiah 53:5 says:

"The chastisement of our peace was upon him."

The blood of Christ satisfied God's justice and opened the way for mercy.

C. The Result

When a sinner trusts Christ:

His sins are forgiven.

God's wrath is removed.

Peace is established forever.

The war is over.

The believer now stands accepted before God.

Illustration

At the end of World War II, peace treaties ended years of conflict.

The moment a treaty was signed, hostilities ceased.

Likewise, when Christ shed His blood, He made peace for all who believe.

Application

Have you experienced this reconciliation?

Not church membership. Not baptism. Not religious activity.

Only Christ's blood can bring peace with God.

II. The Wonder of Being Brought Near

"By nature and by practice far, How very far from God; Yet now by grace brought nigh to Him."

A. Far By Nature

We were born with sinful hearts.

David said:

"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity."

Our natural tendency is not toward God but away from Him.

B. Far By Practice

We not only inherited a sinful nature.

We practiced sin ourselves.

Our thoughts, words, and actions demonstrated our distance from God.

Every person can look back and see evidence of rebellion against God.

C. Near By Grace

The hymn says:

"Yet now by grace."

What wonderful words!

Grace means receiving what we do not deserve.

God did not save us because we were worthy.

He saved us because He is gracious.

Ephesians 2:13:

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."

Illustration

The Prodigal Son wandered far from home.

Yet when he returned, the father ran to meet him.

God delights in bringing sinners near through Christ.

Application

Never lose your sense of wonder.

Remember where God found you.

Remember what His grace has done.

III. The Privilege of Union with Christ

"So nigh, so very nigh to God, I cannot nearer be; For in the person of His Son I am as near as He."

These words express one of the deepest truths in Scripture.

A. The Believer Is In Christ

The New Testament repeatedly describes believers as being "in Christ."

This means we are united to Him.

His death becomes our death.

His resurrection becomes our resurrection.

His standing becomes our standing.

B. Accepted In The Beloved

Ephesians 1:6 says:

"Accepted in the beloved."

God sees us clothed in Christ's righteousness.

He no longer sees us as condemned sinners.

He sees us as His redeemed children.

C. Secure Forever

If our acceptance depended on us, we would lose it.

But it depends upon Christ.

As long as Christ is accepted before the Father, every believer remains accepted.

Illustration

Imagine a poor orphan adopted by a king.

The child gains access to the palace not because of merit but because of relationship.

So it is with believers.

Application

Stop trying to earn God's acceptance.

Rest in Christ's finished work.

IV. The Marvel of God's Love

"So dear, so very dear to God, More dear I cannot be; The love wherewith He loves the Son, Such is His love to me."

This may be the most astonishing statement in the hymn.

A. God's Love Is Beyond Measure

Human love often changes.

God's love does not.

Jeremiah 31:3:

"I have loved thee with an everlasting love."

B. God's Love Is Christ-Centered

John 17:23 says:

"Thou hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."

Because we belong to Christ, we share in the Father's love.

C. God's Love Is Permanent

Failures cannot destroy it.

Trials cannot diminish it.

Death cannot end it.

Romans 8:38-39 declares that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Illustration

A mother continues loving her child even when the child disappoints her.

How much greater is God's love toward His children.

Application

Many believers struggle with feelings of rejection.

Remember:

Your value is not determined by others.

Your value is determined by the price Christ paid for you.

V. The Confidence of God's Care

"Why should I ever anxious be, Since such a God is mine? He watches o'er me night and day, And tells me 'Mine is thine.'"

The hymn ends where every doctrine should end—in practical living.

A. Anxiety Is A Universal Struggle

We worry about:

Health

Family

Finances

Ministry

The future

Yet Christ repeatedly says:

"Fear not."

B. God Watches Over His Children

Psalm 121:4:

"He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

God never takes a break.

He never grows weary.

He never loses sight of His children.

C. God Provides What We Need

Romans 8:32:

"He that spared not his own Son... how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

If God gave His Son, He will certainly provide everything necessary for our spiritual good.

Illustration

During a violent storm a little girl slept peacefully aboard a ship.

Someone asked why she wasn't afraid.

She replied:f

"Because my father is the captain."

The believer can rest because our heavenly Father rules over every storm.

Application

What burden are you carrying today?

Give it to God.

Trust His wisdom.

Trust His love.

Trust His care.

Conclusion

This hymn presents a complete picture of the Christian life.

Because of Christ:

We are reconciled.

We are brought near.

We are accepted.

We are loved.

We are cared for.

The world seeks peace in countless places.

The believer finds peace in one Person—Jesus Christ.

Final Gospel Appeal

Perhaps someone listening today has never trusted Christ.

You may have religion but not reconciliation.

You may have knowledge but not peace.

Today Christ invites you to come.

The blood that reconciles sinners is sufficient for you.

Turn from your sin.

Trust in Jesus Christ.

Receive the peace that only He can give.

Closing Challenge to Believers

When fears arise, remember:

I am reconciled through blood.

I have been brought near by grace.

I am accepted in Christ.

I am loved by the Father.

I am watched over day and night.

And therefore,

"A mind at perfect peace with God; O what a word is this!"