Peace with God
In our quietest, my private moments, it is common for all of us to wonder what the purpose of our life is. Especially in difficult times; times of loss and tragedy, we wonder, "Why?" We ask ourselves, whether we verbalize these questions to others or not, what is life all about, and what is my part in it? Why am I here?
God has answers for our questions. All of our questions.
Ultimately, the Gospel is about answering these most important questions. Some people believe the Gospel begins with the "4 Gospels," Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Not true.
The Gospel story begins in the Creation Story, with Adam and Eve. It takes further shape in the story of Abraham, the spiritual father of the nation of Israel. I want to talk about what Abraham discovered, and how Abraham's discovery impacts all of us - every living person.
God made promises to Abraham. Huge promises. Promises not possible to keep, at least not possible for a man to keep. But God is not a man, and nothing is impossible with God. God is not a man, and it is impossible for God to lie. We know then, that God keeps all of His promises, now and forever. Every single promise to Abraham and his descendants has been kept until now, and will be kept, though we have not yet seen all of His promises fulfilled.
In the book of Genesis, from the Hebrew scriptures, the story of God's promise to Abraham is recounted in chapter 15:
Verses 4 and 5 - Then the word of the Lord came to him: 'This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.' The Lord took Abram outside and said, 'Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them.' Then the Lord said to Abram, 'So shall your offspring be.'
The scripture tell us Abram was in his 90s at this time. We certainly see folks having children at older ages nowadays, but you have to admit, Abram was well past the age of fathering children. To him, this promise from the Lord must have seemed ridiculous...impossible. And yet, scripture records Abram's response to the promise:
Verses 6 - Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord credited it to him as righteousness.
There are a couple of things I find curious here - first, the fact Abram believed God is nothing to skim over. In fact, I could put myself in Abram's place in a very real way - I have had a hysterectomy, and am also well past child-bearing years for a woman. Let us imagine I received a promise from God that I would bear a child - from my own body. As much as I'd like to tell you I have the faith of Abraham, it's hard to imagine I would immediately believe this promise without any questioning or doubt.
The second thing I find curious - the Lord credited it to him as righteousness. What???
What is righteousness, by the way? What in the world does this mean? In Hebrew or Jewish theology, the term righteousness speaks to the Jewish understanding of status before God. It means God has 'judged' the person to be in right standing or relationship with Him. Some translations use the word "reckoned," rather than judged. The underlying meaning is the same. In Texas, we might say it this way: God reckons that you're good with Him. He has judged you and made the decision that you are right with Him, acceptable in His eyes.
Here's the key - Abram didn't do anything to earn his right standing with God. Well, unless you understand the importance God places on Abram's belief in God. How could Abram possibly believe in such an outrageous promise, unless he fully trusted in both the power and the character of the one making the promise. It is this unwavering and complete level of trust which God desires of each one of us.
Moving forward approximately 4,000 years in time, Jesus was born to Mary. And speaking of supernatural miracles, here we find another pivotal event in the history of all mankind. For four thousand years, dating to the encounter between Abraham and God, prophets of Israel spoke of a coming Messiah. One sent by God Himself to save His people. Time and space prohibit the inclusion of the dozens of prophecies fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, but here is one to help us understand the story:
From the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2:
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law (this refers to the Jewish chief priests and teachers), he asked them where the Christ ("Messiah") was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written:'
But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel. (Micah 5:2)
God's original design was always to make a way to be "right with Him" that was open to all people - Jews and non-Jews alike.
God's plan has always been rooted in His desire for us to believe Him, and the promises He makes. In the New Testament book of Hebrews, the writer expresses it this way:
Chapter 11, verse 6:
Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Jesus became a stumbling block to the Jews of that day, in part because human nature is such that we try to earn our way. We compare ourselves to one another, and each of us sees ourselves as better than the next person.
What is this? This is self-justification. We see ourselves as good, and are blinded to our own shortcomings, and need for an outside way to be made right with God. When God sent Jesus, it was to provide a way of righteousness apart from our works. God says we cannot be justified by our works. We will always fall short in some way.
The apostle Paul, in the New Testament book of Romans, pulls together the story of Abram and Jesus. In chapter 4, Paul tells us Abram discovered the promise of God comes by faith, because Abram was made right with God when he believed God, apart from any justifying work on his part.
The beauty of Abram's story, and the Gospel, is the reason for God's plan - God makes His promise come to us by faith so that everyone can receive the promise. If the promise of God came to us only through our actions, none of us would achieve righteousness, because we are all, every one of us, imperfect. None of us are righteous - not one.
It is God's wisdom and perfect love that designed a plan for reconciliation through faith in Him. The promise is for every person - and for every person it is available through faith.
In the book of Romans, chapter 5, Paul says this:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
We did not gain access through our works - however much we might strive to do good works. No. It was never God's plan for us to earn access to His peace through our own efforts!
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified (reckoned to be right with God) by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him!
Whether Jew, or Gentile...male or female...peace with God is found when we believe Him fully. When we trust in the promises made by Him. We cannot earn it, and none of us are better than the other...all of our right actions count as nothing when compared to the surpassing holiness and perfection of our God. It is in Christ, and His sacrifice for us, that our path to righteousness and peace with God is secured.
We live in a world of conflict today, and some people wonder if peace will ever be possible. I leave you with this encouragement, another word from the apostle Paul, this time to his protege, Timothy:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men-
Why is it, then, that some do not believe God? Why, given the perfect love of God, made available to every person, regardless of color, creed or origin, would every person not trust Him? We do not know the answer to this question. All we know is this:
The promise of God is offered to all people. Righteousness and peace with Him is made perfect when we believe Him, and the promise He made to us in Christ Jesus.
Belief then, is the key. Belief is made possible when God grants us the grace of faith which allows us to believe. He makes it available to you - today. You cannot earn it. No one can. If you find yourself struggling to believe - that too is something God desires to do for and in you. You only need say to Him,"Lord, I want to believe. Help my unbelief."
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