Peace with God

Introduction

Barb and I had the great privilege of spending a lot of time together over the past few years. This is much due to the case that she was in and out of hospitals and care facilities so often. It was not long ago that Barb and my grandmother were down the hall from each other at Chesterwood Village, both of them struggling to breath with COPD. There were a few times I can remember Barb going to see my grandma. Barg was both caring and interested. She may have been trying to dig up a little dirt, or more likely extending a hand of kindness to yet another kindred soul. I will so much miss our long conversations, where she pretty much just let me know how things work or what I needed to do. You never needed to want for her opinion, typically it was well thought out and quite convincing.

About a week and a half ago, Barb and I were talking at U.C. West Chester, yet again. She mentioned to me again, as she had during the last hospital struggle, that she was “tired of the cycle,” and “Tired of fighting.” This time it was different. This time there was determination in her eyes. So I asked if there was anything she wanted me to make sure everyone knew, or anything she wanted Pete, Cathy and Jim to know?

1. Love

The first thing she wanted everyone to know is, she “loves you very much.” She has been grateful for all the cards, visits, love and care from everyone.

2. Peace

The second thing she said was not just from her heart. I could tell it was being communicated with all the passion of her soul and spirit. As only Barb could, she caught her breath and said “Make peace with God!”

tells us how to have peace with God: “being justified by faith.”

Know we are without strength

Romans 5:6 AV 1873

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 3:23 AV 1873

for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

All have sinned

Romans 6:23 AV 1873

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The wages, payment, of sin is death.

Romans 5:7–8 AV 1873

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Many will die for some, but Christ died for all. The fact in the Bible is that if you were the only person that would every trust Christ by faith, He would still have died for you. “While we were dead in trespasses and sins, Christ died for the ungodly.”

Know God’s Love.

Usually God gets a bad wrap because he opposes sin. Our lives are consumed with so much that is against God, to the point that we make it God’s fault. The bad news is we are hopelessly lost, the good news is we are already found. All we really must do is get on the rescue boat.

Romans 5:1 AV 1873

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

Peace with God comes through Christ

Romans 6:23 AV 1873

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:6 AV 1873

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans

Christ died for the ungodly

Romans 5:8 AV 1873

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans

Sinners=Christ died for us

Romans 5:10 AV 1873

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Reconciled by the work of Christ.

Step two: Recognize that while we are all born, lost/ separated, from God, He has already found you (done the work to reconcile you to God).

Know it is by grace through faith

Romans 5:1 AV 1873

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

God’s grace is in the fact that while we were yet sinners (separated from God) Christ died for us. That is Grace. We did not deserve for God to be made human an die for us, that is grace.

Our faith is believing in my inability to be reconciled to God with out the finished, perfect sacrifice of Christ in my place.

Step Three: Receive Christ by faith alone. There is no other method of reaching heaven. This is what Barb wanted me to tell you today. Make peace with God by faith in Christ alone.

Ephesians 2:8–9 AV 1873

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

Isaiah 64:6 AV 1873

But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Romans 10:13 AV 1873

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.