Luke 7:48-50 “Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’”
Luke 8:48 “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.’”
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
I love the connection between faith and peace. Jesus could have told those two women in Luke, “Go in joy”, or “Go in love”, but he said, “Go in peace”. They had trusted in the correct Object, the Son of God, and this always leads to peace, first peace with God, and then the peace of God.
When I rested alone in the work of Jesus Christ, who died in my place on the cross and rose again, I was immediately accepted by God in his Son. God’s wrath no longer hangs over my head; I am his child and we are at peace. I am justified, declared righteous, in his sight.
That initial faith for my eternal salvation paves the way for the peace of God to rule in my heart moment by moment. I have a choice to trust in Jesus Christ every second of the day, to believe he is all-sufficient – to know that his grace and power are enough to handle my life. When I am trusting in an alternative object, whether it be me or some other person, there is anxiety, discontentment, and strife. When I am relying on my Savior, there is ALWAYS peace, a tranquility of heart due to confidence in the One who took care of my biggest problem – sin – on the cross, and who is capable of taking care of anything I face. That peace indeed “surpasses all understanding”, no matter what difficulties and trials are swirling around me.
Made for Eternity 