Peace 

What is Peace? 

So many people spend their lives striving for one more thing. The reason they seek it is because there’s no lasting comfort or freedom in their lives. It’s like they are always unsettled. The Bible defines peace primarily in three ways:

1. Psychological peace, the comfort within.

2. Relational peace, harmony among humanity.

3. Spiritual peace, which is between God and man.

The Bible outlines how sin damages or wipes out all three types of peace. When God created man, he was at peace with God, himself, and everyone else. However, that peace was lost when he turned against God. Peace can be restored, but we can’t do it alone. God provided a way.

     Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, in John 3:16 KJV, was sent to our world to take away our sins. He did so by allowing Himself to be crucified, and it was that sacrifice that made it possible for us to have peace again—peace within ourselves, peace with each other, and peace with God.

     After Jesus died on the cross, He came back to life. That demonstrated Jesus is God, but also made it clear that He desires for everyone to have perfect peace. 

Ephesians 2:14-18 KJV 

"For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; 17.  and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh 18. For through him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

     Jesus empowers each of us to overcome every type of sin. No matter how difficult your situation feels, Christ can break through it. But you must first acknowledge your sin and commit to Jesus, then you can have perfect peace and know its meaning.

    Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace." (John 16:33 KJV). To have peace, you must know the One who can give it. 

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

START YOUR NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST

You can have real, lasting peace today through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Start your four-step journey now! 

Step 1 God's peace and purpose 

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and eternal life—abundant and eternal.

The Bible says:

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  (Romans 5:1 KJV)

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 KJV)

"I [Jesus] came that they might have life and that they might  have it more abundantly."
(John 10:10 KJV)

Why don’t most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have? 

STEP 2 THE PROBLEM: SIN SEPARATES US 

God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and freedom of choice. We choose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God. 

     The Bible says in Romans 3:23 KJV, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,"  and in Romans 6:23 KJV,  "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord."  

    You cannot earn or purchase His gift, you must freely reach out and accept it. Therefore you cannot work your way to GOD. You cannot be a good enough person to get to GOD. Isaiah 64:6  KJV says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." and Romans 7:18 KJV says, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing...  Even a child at the young age of 5 is old enough to know and acknowledge they have told a lie.

      A lie no matter how small is still a SIN. The Bible tells us in Revelation 21:8 KJV, "But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death."  If you have ever told a lie, this means you are a sinner.

Our choices/actions result in separation from God. People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God...

The Bible says:

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."  (Proverbs 14:12 KJV) 

No bridge reaches God... except One, Jesus. 

BUT WAIT, THERE IS GOOD NEWS.

STEP 3  God's remedy:  THE CROSS 

Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sins and bridged the gap between God and people.

The Bible says:

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."                    (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. "  (1 Peter 3:18 KJV)

"But God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners CHRIST DIED for US."  (Romans 5:8 KJV) 

God has provided the only way... Each person must make a choice... 

Step 4  Our response - Receive Christ

We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says:

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me."
(Revelation 3:20 KJV) 

"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." (John 1:12 KJV) 

"That if thou shalt confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  13. For WHOSOEVER [you are a whosoever] shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10;9,10,13 KJV) 

     You only need to pray to GOD and tell HIM you believe in Him that He died, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day, and that He has the power to forgive your sin. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and transgressions and tell Him you want Him to come into your heart and life, give you the peace that only HE can give, and take you to heaven when you die. 

     The Bible says in Luke 5:24 KJV, "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch and go into thine house." And in 1 John 5:13 KJV,  "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 

Will you receive Jesus Christ right now? 

Here is how you can receive Christ:

• Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)

• Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.

• Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

• Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)

I suggest a prayer like this one:

"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, Amen." 

     If you prayed that prayer and you truly believe and meant it, then WELCOME to the FAMILY OF GOD. 

     We would love to CELEBRATE with you. Send us an email at youmattercards@gmail.com and let us REJOICE with you in your decision. 

Step 5 Find a local church where you can be discipled, get baptized, and grow in the Lord.

Your next step is to find a local church for help finding one near you. Click here and ask were glad to help!

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