Thought For Today - 5.14.2009

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:2)

What is it that people pursue in life? Isn't the pursuit of humanity a pursuit of Grace and Peace? God's 'Common Grace' is shed abroad on the earth in the provision of all good things man needs to live and prosper. This can lead to peace for men, but so often it does not. Remember, Peter is writing to churches suffering various social & civil persecutions because of their faith in Jesus Christ. They have little peace, and yet Peter is writing to them that peace is found in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!

Upon what does Peace depend? The knowledge of God and our Savior Jesus Christ! Grace and Peace are "multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." It was Tozer who stated in Knowledge of the Holy, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God. For this reason the gravest question before the church/man is always God Himself, and the most portentious fact about any man...what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like." Our understanding of God in who He reveals Himself to be drives our understanding of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ for our sins; and our understanding of both undergirds God's specific Grace in our lives and the peace that coincides with it. Without Grace there is not true peace. The travesty for many Christians today is that in the midst of Grace there is still no peace! We too often must hear the question of Paul to the Galatians, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit are you now being perfected by the flesh?" The message of the gospel is one in which we needed all of our righteousness before God to be provided for us by Jesus Christ. The message of the gospel tells us that all that we would do that is good in God's eyes is accomplished in and through us by the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The message of the gospel tells us that our sovereign, loving God provides all good things for us, even trial and suffering. Understanding God, Christ, and the gospel leads to peace in the midst of all things!

Where are you struggling with anxiety, fear, anger, frustration in life? In what ways are you operating "in the flesh" to bring success or your own desired ends in those arenas? Where are you experiencing a lack of peace because of your Christian testimony? In what ways are you not resting in the peace of God that comes through the knowledge of Him, Christ, and the accomplishment of Grace for us in Christ? Be diligent, live at peace with all men as far as it is up to you, be ready to give an answer for your faith in gentleness and reverence, and rest in the knowledge of God and our savior, Jesus Christ - therein is peace!