Ephesians 2:14-22
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
“For Christ himself has brought peace to us.–” -Ephesians 2:14[NLT]
Peace is out of the grasp of most people in our world right now- with all the disquiet around us- pandemic, nature’s fury unleased with cyclones and wild fires, nations rising up against one another— tumultuous events that shake the very lives of people! Then there is the unrest of a generation that is constantly in search of something better beyond themselves!! Many try various escape routes to obtain peace— religious rituals, meditation, yoga- the list goes on! Well, true peace is not found in the absence of all those disturbing situations (there will be plenty as long as we live in this world) but in the Presence of the One who can Provide that Peace in the midst of it all!
Our key verse draws our attention to the One who is our Peace- Jesus Christ Himself! It says how Christ has taken off the dividing barrier between the irreconcilable and has brought them together through His death on the Cross, making them one in Him. In Christ we are all one!
Let us understand the term PEACE through this acrostic:
Peace with God- This is the first thing we need for the assurance of peace is to be right with our Maker! Romans 5:1[NLT] says, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” We who were one time estranged from God because of sin, can be made right with Him, accepting by faith the finished work of Christ on the cross on our behalf! Once we were alienated from God and enemies in our minds because of our evil behaviour, but Jesus reconciles us and makes us holy in God’s sight (Col.1:12-22)
Ease with our fellow beings- Part of the peace plan is peace with our brethren. Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” In Heb.12:14, as Christians we are asked to pursue peace with all people…we are called to live a life of peace and reconciliation.
Acceptance of ourselves—God has “made us accepted in the Beloved” (Eph.1:6)- Christ Jesus! If we do not have peace within ourselves that we have been forgiven of our grave mistakes in the past and God sees/accepts us through His Son, we would always have an identity crisis! We who have been made in the image of God are drawn in the palm of His hand and very precious to Him! This gives us peace within ourselves!
Calm in the midst of disquiet- Jesus said in John 16:33[GW], “I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world.” For a believer Jesus’ constant presence with him makes all the difference- Jesus in your boat means the He can quiet the storms of life!
Eternal Assurance- Many lose their peace because of the unknown!- they don’t know what tomorrow holds for them; they have no assurance of what’s after death, etc. But the one in Christ has eternal assurance of eternal life with Chris Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:2,3: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” What better assurance for peace to dwell in our hearts always?
Dear reader, would you be assured of such peace in your heart? Then come to the Giver of Peace: Christ Jesus Himself!
Thought for the Day: “NO JESUS-NO PEACE!
KNOW JESUS, KNOW PEACE!!” ~Author unknown
Listen: ‘My Peace I give unto you’