True Peace

Perhaps true peace seems impossible amid the stress of financial decisions, the flurry of the holiday season, and the pressures of gift-buying. Maybe the thought of finding true, inner peace seems hopeless when everything is so busy and stressful. As hopeless as it may seem, the Bible tells us how to gain peace. It also tells us what stands in the way of gaining true peace.

NO PEACE

God says twice, “‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). You may say, “But I am not wicked!” You are probably a very nice person. Perhaps you try to read and follow the Bible. You may be a member of a local church. Perhaps you were baptized as a child. These are all good things, but they do not relieve your lack of peace, because they do not cure your sin problem. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God says, “We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). We are ALL wicked in God’s sight and thus we have no peace.

We lack peace because our sin separates us from God. “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). If not dealt with, your sin will lead you to eternal damnation when you die. “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

THE GIVER OF PEACE

“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ—the Prince of PEACE. Peace with God can only come through humble trust in Jesus. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Because we cannot solve our sin problem, Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, came to earth to take the punishment for our sin. He lived a perfect life and died for you. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Peter 3:18 states, “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4
explains that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day.” Christ died and rose again for YOU! You can have eternal life and true peace through Him.

WILL YOU ACCEPT THE GIFT?

Christmas is also a time of gift-giving. A true gift is one that comes with no strings attached. It is given out of love. Eternal life is a gift, not something that you can purchase or earn. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

God offers you His free gift of salvation. Salvation is available to you if you are willing to humbly acknowledge your sinful condition before God (repent) and, in your heart, turn from sin to Christ. Mark 1:15 says, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Romans 10:9,13 say, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

Will you humbly accept the gift of salvation this Christmas season? Ask Him to save you. If you willingly turn to Him, Jesus promises His true and lasting peace to comfort your soul. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27).

Source: http://www.mwtb.org