How to Receive the Peace of God

By Dr. John E. Russell

1. God loves you. Realize that God loves you and desires for you to be at peace with himself:

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Not only did God tell you that he loves you, but he proved his love by sending his Son to die for you! His love is also expressed by the full and high quality life he has planned for you now—as well as in the life to come. Jesus said,

10 The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10, NIV).

Why is there so much evil in the world and why do so many people not have peace?

2. Sin separated you from God. Because people are sinful, they are cut off from God and his peace. The Bible teaches and human experience confirms that we are sinful:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23).

We were created for fellowship with God, but that fellowship was broken when we sinned. Sin brought us spiritual death, sickness, physical death and turmoil:

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23, NIV).

No human accomplishment will give us peace with God. How do we become reconciled with God and experience his peace?

3. Jesus Christ is the only way to find peace with God. Jesus Christ is God's only provision to forgive our sin, set us free and give us love, peace and joy. Jesus died for us—he took our penalty of death:

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us [italics mine] (Romans 5:7-8, NIV).

Christ is the only way to peace with God:

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NIV).

It is not enough to know that God loves us, that sin has cut us off from God and that Jesus Christ is the only way to God.

4. You must receive Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. The Bible states that,

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1:12-13, NIV).

We are saved by faith and not by our own works:

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so no one can boast.
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).

If we choose to receive the truth about Jesus Christ, then the Holy Spirit will give us faith to trust him as our personal Savior. Then, when we receive Christ, the Holy Spirit will give us a spiritual rebirth. Jesus called this being born again:

7 You should not be surprised at my saying,`You must be born again' (John 3:7, NIV).

This is the most important experience that you will ever have. God will set you free and he will bring new life into your being. This new life will make you more like the Lord Jesus.

Christ stands at your heart's door, but you must open the door:

20 Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20, The Living Bible).

You can receive Christ in your heart right now. Pray this prayer from your heart:

Almighty God, I confess that I have sinned against you. I ask you to forgive me. I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27, NASB).

Tell someone that you have accepted Christ as your Savior. Please email me and tell me the good news also.

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