Spiritual Peace

The birth of Christ was celebrated by a multitude of the heavenly host, whose song on that memorable occasion was, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” Luke 2:14. The interesting message which God has sent us by his commissioned servants the apostles, is justly termed the gospel of peace, Rom. 10:15.  Jesus Christ, whose authority and power in the church are absolute and unchangeable, is styled the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6. And one effect, or fruit, of the Holy Spirit’s influence, is said to be peace.  Ever since the first entrance of sin, the world has exhibited a scene of disorder and confusion, a field of blood and carnage. But those who cordially receive the gospel, who become the subjects of the King of Zion, who are habitually led by the Spirit, are made partakers of true peace.

Spiritual peace consists in that sweet and calm serenity of conscience, which arises from a well-grounded persuasion of our reconciliation to God.

How awful is the condition of man in a state of depravity and guilt! “ Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them,” Gal.3:10. The law, insists upon obedience perfect in all its parts; perfect in every degree; and, in each of these respects, perpetual.  While, therefore, any one continues under the law, a stranger to himself, and an enemy to God by wicked works, he must be destitute of true peace.  The terrors of Divine justice are set in array against him, and a condemning sentence is prepared to fix his eternal doom. In this state, no creature can afford deliverance. But “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly,” Rom. 5: 6. 

We must look to Calvary for the first glimpse of hope.  There we see the moral law in the highest degree honored, and all its demands fully answered.  There we see the most striking display of inflexible justice and eternal mercy.  There we behold the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world! There our peace was made and ratified by the blood of the everlasting covenant.  Paul says, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us,” Gal. 3:13. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself,” Col. 1:19, 20.  Peter declares, that “ Christ hath suffered, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,” 1 Pet. 3: 16. These, and many other Scriptures, clearly show the divinely appointed method of reconciliation for guilty, apostate man. Glorious, and ever to be admired, is the grand scheme of human redemption.