While You Are Waiting

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
(Romans 5:1 Amp)

You and I must stop trying to get peace with God because, according to His Word, we already have it.  Romans 5:1 says we have that peace and we need only grasp, or take hold of it. This peace is a reality because we have been justified by faith through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

A look at the verses in Romans 4 which precede this verse shows us what the “Therefore” is “there for.” Reading the last verses of Chapter 4, we find that Abraham was… 

Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). But [the words], It was credited to him, were written not for his sake alone, But [they were written] for our sakes too. [Righteousness, standing acceptable to God] will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God]. (Romans 4:21-25 Amp)

Let’s take a look at the word grasp. It means to take hold of or seize firmly with or as if with the hand or clasp firmly. When the word is applied to ideas it means to take hold of intellectually; to comprehend. 

The act of grasping is likened to an embrace. An implication is that the ability or power to seize or attain is included; that when we grasp we are not reaching for but taking hold of. When we grasp this peace with God we are laying hold of it with our minds. 

Synonyms include comprehend, perceive, and apprehend. A great word picture comes from the synonym apprehend, when used to indicate the capture of a criminal or suspect. You might say that we must capture the truth of our peace with God; our right standing and reconciliation with Him with that same firm, settled assurance. 

So what is all this “word study” for? 

It is simply an attempt to give ourselves a more complete understanding of what it means to grasp this peace with God that we already have been given through the death and resurrection Jesus Christ, by our acceptance of Him as Savior and Lord. 

And what does grasping that peace with God bring us? 

And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 Amp)

Then, the peace of God inside us will translate into the peace of God outside — in all of our outward circumstances. 

We will find that what would normally cause us much care and anxiety will no longer be the case. Not only will everything turn out well, but we will also be very blessed. When Jesus, the Prince of Peace is our peace, this is what happens. 

Because Jesus is our peace, we are blessed in more ways than one. Our souls will prosper. Our health will prosper. Our wealth will prosper. Our loved ones will be taken care of. Our relationships will flourish. We will enjoy the favor of God because He is our peace. 

The words of Romans 5:1 speak the Truth about you. You have been acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God through faith. Meditate on these words until you fully grasp what they mean. 

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 

Love,
Brother Bill