Throughout the course of human history man has striven for peace. Whether it was the great conferences among the Nineteenth century European superpowers, the pre-World War II League of Nations, or the modern United Nations, mankind has continually attempted to accomplish the end of contention on the earth. A problem which transcends mere human conflicts, however, is man’s status as an enemy at war with God.
Is it too dramatic to say that people are at war with God? Not so. The Bible refers to people, who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, as “enemies” of God (Rom. 5:10). Sin, which can be defined as falling short of God’s glory, is nothing more than an assertion of rebellion against the government of the universe. It is the presence of sin that has rendered man unfit for a relationship with God.
It is not God who has declared war on man, but exactly the reverse. The Scriptures are quite clear when they describe the unsaved masses in this manner: “Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good…Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Ps. 53:1, 3).
Despite man’s protestation of his innocence, God’s Word teaches that humans are in complete rebellion against their Creator. In the face of this great dilemma, the petty conflicts between men pale as mere trivialities. Moreover, there can be no peace for the individual that strives with God. Contentment eludes those who resist the Lord’s call of salvation, and “peace of mind” is merely an unattainable object of ambition for the lost of this world.
How then is man to be reconciled to God? How can humans enjoy lasting peace? Peace does not come with new scientific discoveries. Nor does it accompany the innovations of psychology and psychoanalysis. Peace is not acquired through drugs, alcohol, money, or possessions. The only approach to peace with God is through His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Romans 5:1 puts it: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice that this eternal peace is dependent on the Lord Jesus Himself. Being the only perfect sacrifice acceptable to God, He was willingly judged for the sins of mankind. Afterwards, He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God the Father.
When sinners receive the Lord as their Saviour they are justified in the sight of God. This legal term means that every charge or accusation that is brought against the believer is refuted by the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, based on their faith in the Lord Jesus, believers have peace with God. Oh, what a thought–that we who were once enemies, far from our Maker, now have been “made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Christians can approach God without fear, knowing that they have peace with God. No longer deemed enemies, but lovingly accepted as sons. How blessed it is to consider that”…When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son…” (Rom. 5:10).