ROMANS 3:17

“AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN THE WAY OF PEACE.”

Knowing true peace is so…well…peaceful. I am not sure how exactly to explain it. When I am in a deer stand in the woods waiting for a deer, I experience true peace. Hearing the woods come alive as the sun rises or goes to sleep as the sun begins to set, I have this overwhelming calmness. Sure, my heart is beating faster watching for the movement in the woods, but I am really at peace with God and man out there.

Paul again quotes from Isaiah as he starts to wrap up these several verses of Old Testament quotations. Here he quotes Isaiah 59:8 which reads, “They do not know the way of peace, and there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever walks on them does not know peace.” As my title today says, KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE; NO GOD, NO PEACE!

APPLICATION

Here is a great explanation of our need for peace based on this verse. “men are naturally ignorant of the way of peace with God; of the first step which God took towards it; of the council and covenant of peace, in which the scheme of it was drawn, and the method fixed; of Christ the peacemaker, and of the way in which he has made it; and of the Gospel, which reveals and publishes it.” (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)

We need peace. Jesus gave us His peace. In John 14:27 He said, “‘Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” Did you hear that? Do not be troubled or fearful. Why? Because we have His peace. Do you think Jesus was ever troubled or fearful? I don’t think so. Nor should we. If we are consistently walking with the Prince of Peace, we will forever be in His peace.

Jesus also told us in Matthew 5:9, “‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.’” Do you want to be known as a peacemaker, unlike those spoken of by Paul in today’s verse? Then you must have His peace. When you have the peace of God, you will be at peace with God. There’s an old song that says, “There’ll be peace like a river, peace like a river; there’ll be peace like a river in my soul.” Peace will flow through your life when you accept His peace and live for Him.

Lord God, I want to be at peace with You and all men. Give me more and more of Your peace as I continue to surrender my will to Yours.

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