Steven A. Bush - September 1, 2024
How God Made Peace with His Enemies
It's been well said that for forgiveness to take place, it only takes one of the aggrieved to forgive the other. But for reconciliation to take place it takes two, or both parties, to so engage. More astoundingly is that the God of the Universe has initiated peace and reconciliation with His enemies--and that would include us! Romans 5:1-2 says: "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory." (NLT) Colossians 1:19-21 affirms it like this: "For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were His enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions." (NLT) God has taken the most extreme measures to turn His enemies into friends. If peace and friendship between you and God isn't your current reality, our Lord most certainly wants to make it so...
Scripture References: Romans 5:1-11, Colossians 1:15-22, John 14:27