Reading Romans 5-8 today. (Can I just say this? Selecting chapter-long passages about peace in the Bible was not an easy task. Honestly, if you have any suggestions...)
Anyway, the idea of peace in those chapters is that Jesus covers us with His righteousness so we can stand before God as complete, or perfect, which is what the Hebrew concept of peace encompasses. There's a word that comes along peace in all of this: grace. Grace is the train that Peace rides in on. Our righteousness (wholeness/perfection/peace) is only attainable by grace.
So of ourselves, peace says: On my own, I am not capable of doing everything right; I need grace; Jesus gives it to me.
And of others, peace says: On your own, you are not capable of doing everything right; you need grace; I will give it to you.
But think how peaceful things would be if we did that! How many of our fears and insecurities are founded on a sense of inadequacy? How much stress do we experience because we're trying to be perfect? How much of our conflict with others comes from a lack of grace, an inability to accept and forgive another person's error?
Want peace? Accept and give grace!
1 thoughts anyone?:
Post a Comment