August 10, 2020
Roamans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
On December 8, 1941 the United States declared war on Japan. This was in direct response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor the day before. Over 100,000 U.S. soldiers were killed or wounded in this Pacific Theater. This state of war lasted until September 2, 1945 when the Japan surrendered officially to the USA and Russia.
Beginning on that day the relationship with Japan changed. The United States rebuilt Japan from 1945-1952 fundamentally changing the structure of the country. As a result of this change Japan went from enemy, to defeated country, to trade partner and ally. Today, Japan is one of the strongest allies of the United States in the world.
Before we were saved we were knowingly or unknowingly at war with God. When we trusted Christ we surrendered to Him. We then had a change of relationship. At the moment of salvation, we were brought into Gods family. This verse says, “we have peace with God.” This tells us two important things. Firstly, we are no longer enemies with God. We have all our sins and transgressions pardoned as if they never happened. Secondly the verse says, “we have peace” this is present tense. We currently have peace with God. Even when we mess up and sin, we still have peace with God. We are in the family permanently. This peace is not based on our feelings. It is based on faith in Christ. He gives the peace whether we deserve it or not and is present daily.
I encourage you today, if you feel away from God or that He is not happy with you to do what Philippines 3:13-14 says. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Don’t fall for the lie of Satan that God is against you, press forward to what God has called you do today and rely upon Him.
Jacob Jarriel