God’s Way

And the way of peace they have not known.
Romans 3:17

Focus On Christ

What is the way of peace? How would you know if peace has saturated your life? Would you have to be well, have your bills paid, and be free of difficulties in relationships in order to experience peace? Do circumstances determine your peace of mind?

According to Paul, those who do not know the Lord live according to their own evil ways, including not understanding Christ’s peace. The way of true peace is righteousness, and that righteousness is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). There is no one who will know God’s Peace without knowing His Way. His Way only comes through faith in His Son. While there is faith unto salvation, faith is also the way to righteousness. “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness…” (Romans 4:5). Why then would they not know the way of peace? Because of unbelief. Reconciliation to God does not take place apart from a relationship with His Son. Do you know the Prince of Peace? Do you know His Ways?

Scripture states: “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel” (Psalm 103:7). In order for Moses to know the Ways of God, God had to reveal them. God decides with whom He will reveal His Ways. There are two types of people who do not know the Ways of God: the person who has not received Jesus as Savior and Lord, and the believer who is not living in obedience to Christ. 

It is a curious thing when a believer is living a life of complete anxiety. Could it be because they do not know the way of peace? Why would the Author of peace take up residence in a person and not provide peace? The answer lies in the way in which the person chooses to live. Living in the way of righteousness provides peace to a believer. However, living in the way of unrighteousness provides anxiety. Which way would you like to live? 

God taught His Ways to Moses, but the Israelites knew only the Acts of God. Only those who walk in the Spirit will learn the Ways of God. Those who only go to church, give, pray, and rarely read God’s Word may see the acts of God but will not learn the deep Ways of God. “For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). If you don’t live in obedience to Christ and walk in His Spirit, then you will not understand how God works.  

Focus on Self

Self wants to be seen as a good person, but God is looking for those who have experienced the way of real, active, and vibrant peace. When you live out the Spirit-filled life, others will see that you live by the Ways of Christ. This will either bring respect or discomfort to you. If they are not living a Spirit-filled life, then they will be uncomfortable by your life. In order to experience the way of peace, they will need to make a personal adjustment to an obedient lifestyle.

 

*Taken from Gifts from God by Kerry Skinner and Alison Veazey. Click here to order your copy.