Perfect Peace
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name. Jn 1:12
I pray that you had a wonderful day of worship with your local church on the Lord’s Day. Have you heard the saying, “Get busy and get busy doing something?” I believe we all battle that type of urge from time to time. It’s an urge tells us that things are not as good as they can be. It seems to come from a sense that things are not perfect, nor complete, or that something can be improved upon. When that line of thinking is allowed to creep into our spirit, we become unsettled, distracted, and dissatisfied. The peace and rest that is given has yet to be fully realized. The scripture passage reminds us that God has settled all our sin account through Jesus “to become sons of God.” That is a message for every child of God. God loves you and gave His Son for you (Jn 3:16) that you might know Him as His beloved child (Jn 17:3). Have you accepted God’s love completely or do you find yourself trying to gain God’s greater approval? When Jesus declared on the cross “It is finished” (Jn 19:30), God’s plan of salvation, His forgiveness of sin, and His eternal love were made perfectly perfect and completely complete for all “that believe on His Name.” God’s not looking at what we can do, He’s looking at who we are in Him. Everything outside of the finished work of Jesus is nothing. Everyone who starts at the foot of the cross, empty handed, “them gave He power to become sons of God.” The child of God is sealed with His guarantee, filled with His Spirit, and given “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Phil 4:7) to know and enjoy the true purpose He has for His children. That true purpose is to know Him, to worship Him, and work with Him, not work for Him. He desires to work in you and through you (Phil 2:13). Dear friend, stop striving and doing in your own strength that pleases you, but receive Him and His power that you may rest in His grace. Actively wait where God is working. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). Actively waiting is to actively engage, while being sensitive and led by the Holy Spirit. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8). Father thank You for Your love and the finished work of Jesus Christ. Remind me to rest and rely completely in Him. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.