Chapter 312—Peace Restored
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:2
.
Christ is “the Prince of Peace” (
Isaiah 9:6
), and it is His mission to
restore to earth and heaven the peace that sin has broken. “Being justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (
Romans 5:1
).
Whoever consents to renounce sin and open his heart to the love of Christ,
becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace.
There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ received
into the heart, subdues enmity; it allays strife and fills the soul with love.
He who is at peace with God and his fellow men cannot be made miserable.
Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmisings will find no room there; hatred
cannot exist. The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace
of heaven and will diffuse its blessed influence on all around. The spirit of
peace will rest like dew upon hearts weary and troubled with worldly strife.
Christ’s followers are sent to the world with the message of peace.
Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal
the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce
sin and yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker....
The spirit of peace is evidence of their connection with heaven. The
sweet savor of Christ surrounds them. The fragrance of the life, the loveliness
of the character, reveal to the world the fact that they are children of God.
Men take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus.
The grace of Christ must be woven into every phase of the character....
Daily growth into the life of Christ creates in the soul a heaven of peace;
in such a life there is continual fruit bearing.... In the lives of those who
are ransomed by the blood of Christ, self-sacrifice will constantly appear.
Goodness and righteousness will be seen. The quiet, inward experience will
make the life full of godliness, faith, meekness, patience. This is to be our
daily experience. We are to form characters free from sin—characters made
righteous in and by the grace of Christ.
[321]
444