No More Secrets
Internal Peace

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2

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. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Let’s talk some more about the peacemakers. What is going on inside their minds and hearts? Peacemakers must be at peace with themselves! Most situations that need a peacemaker were created by people who are in turmoil. For example, if you send a person out of his home angry about interpersonal relationships, it won’t take much for that person to get involved in some “road rage.” When we don’t feel good about ourselves, we are ripe for conflict!

Jesus told us to love others as we love ourselves. I believe that is a principle of life as much as a command to be obeyed. When someone is “raging” at you, more than likely you are receiving much of what they feel about themselves!

Our scripture for today gives us the answer to all this. Peace with God brings peace with ourselves. God offers more to us than eternal salvation, though that would be plenty. He wants us to enjoy an inner peace, a peace that passes human understanding. This peace is present when conflict in our external world is raging. This peace works when nothing else seems to. “Happy are the peacemakers” is a beatitude that truly is self-fulfilling. Peacemakers are happy…filled with God’s peace – and, thus able to create an atmosphere of peace in all situations. I realize that there are some people who we will come into conflict with that will not be willing to reconcile. The Apostle Paul must have had some situations like this in mind when he wrote: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

Father, my faith has justified me and I praise you for my peace in you. Help me to be contagious to a conflicted world today. In Jesus’ name, amen.