“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 boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
I boast in God because of His Grace and Peace. Experiencing peace in our world seems so elusive these days. Both anxiety within and distress around can make for volatile headwinds. But this scripture of grace and peace paints a different picture. God in Christ places us in a circle called grace. We have both judicial peace and the peace that “passes all understanding” that is found in Christ. We receive peace from Him who is called the Prince of Peace. We can be at peace with our own lives as He has made us. We can then widen that circle and be at peace with those around us. Things may not be peaceful on the outside, but we have the capacity for peace on the inside. We no longer have to cower or hide from God in this circle of God’s grace. We do not hop back and forth, in and out of grace, depending on the day or our feelings about the day. We stand in this grace. He loves us and we can be at peace with this truth. I often find that experiencing peace starts with my understanding of this relationship with God. It radiates outwards to others. I can forgive others because I am forgiven. I can treat others with grace because I have been given grace. I can give people the benefit of the doubt because I am given the benefit of the doubt. People are also made in God’s image and need His love. Living in grace doesn’t mean being reckless in life. He calls and empowers me to walk as He walked. We are called to carry the ministry of reconciling people to God. Therefore I want to show people around me His character by living a life of peace and not destructiveness. I can boast in God that He accepted me when I didn’t deserve it. It’s free. He loves us!
Prayer: “Dear Lord, thank you for loving and enveloping us in grace. It does not cause me to be flippant in life, but causes me to boast in you and cherish our relationship even more. Thank you for loving me with an everlasting love. May you use my life to encourage others to know and understand your goodness. Amen.”
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