How Peace with God Transforms Our Relationships
The Outward Flow of Inward Peace: How Peace with God Transforms Our Relationships
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
Grace, mercy, and peace are not merely pleasantries; they are foundational pillars of the Christian faith, woven throughout the Gospel and particularly emphasized in Paul's epistles. These divine attributes, consistently highlighted by Paul and John in their greetings, underscore their significant importance for believers.
Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. It is a powerful demonstration of His character, as seen in Ephesians 2:4, where God, "who is rich in mercy," shows His compassion. Grace, on the other hand, is God's "unmerited favor," His act of giving us what we don't deserve, leading to our salvation through faith, as Ephesians 2:8 beautifully illustrates.
Before Christ, humanity was spiritually dead, separated from God and His ways. Ephesians 2:11-12 vividly describes this state, highlighting that Gentiles were "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world". This was a life characterized by chaos and turmoil. The Jewish people, though God's chosen, often misunderstood their position, viewing Gentiles with disdain and relying on outward signs like circumcision rather than inward faith. As Romans 2:29 reveals, "he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God". True spiritual identity, and thus true peace, was never meant to be confined by outward distinctions.
The significant shift from this state of death and chaos to life and peace is solely the work of Jesus Christ, the Peacemaker. Peace is exclusively available through Him. Ephesians 2:13 reveals this gracious intervention: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ". This divine "but now" signifies God's merciful and loving intervention, transforming our state from dead to alive.
How Jesus Brought Us Peace
Jesus brought peace in several critical ways. First, He reconciled Jew and Gentile, breaking down the "middle wall of separation". The physical barriers in the Temple, which separated Gentiles from the inner courts, were abolished when Christ's death tore the veil, granting all full access to God's throne. Second, Christ ended the enmity—the hatred and hostility—between humanity and God, and between people themselves. By fulfilling the law through His death, Jesus abolished its requirements, leading us to live by grace rather than by law. This act created "one new man," the Church, comprising both Jews and Gentiles united in Christ. Peace with God and others comes through submission to Him and His Word, and turmoil often indicates a lack of such submission.
Through Christ, believers gain "access by one Spirit to the Father". No longer are we "strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). This transformation is a move from being without Christ, hope, or God, to having full access to the Father and being part of God's family. This access is a result of Jesus being the "chief cornerstone" and the foundational rock upon which the church, the "holy temple," is built. God now dwells not in a physical building, but in the hearts of His people, His church.
How Peace with God Transforms Our Relationships
When we have peace with God, it fundamentally transforms how we relate to others. As Jesus made peace between Jew and Gentile, we are called to be peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". This calling is not an optional add-on to the Christian life; it is an inherent characteristic of those who have been reconciled to God. Unfortunately, as James 4:1 reminds us, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" Our own selfish desires are often the root cause of conflict and division in our relationships.
True peace, therefore, requires a radical shift in perspective and a willingness to surrender our self-centered impulses. It demands:
Allowing God to Change Our Hearts: The natural human inclination is to demand that others change to suit our desires. However, genuine peace begins when we humbly ask God to transform our own hearts. This means prioritizing a change within ourselves, rather than focusing on the perceived shortcomings of others.
Showing Grace to Others as We've Received Grace: Having experienced God's "unmerited favor", we are now equipped and called to extend that same favor to those around us. As it has been wisely observed, "there is no peace without grace". When we withhold grace, we obstruct the very flow of peace that God intends for our relationships.
Recognizing We're All Part of the Same Household of God: In Christ, we are "no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). This spiritual reality means that every believer is part of one family, the church, the "body of Christ". This understanding should foster a spirit of unity and belonging, transcending superficial differences. As has been often stated, if you want to see God working in your life, you've got to be with God's people. It's kind of like a jigsaw puzzle; each of us has been made in the image of a massively vast God. As humans, we each contain only a portion of that image, but as we start connecting with other disciples, the image starts to take shape and we can truly see who God is. God has always desired partnership with mankind to display His glory. When we fail to be with those created new in Christ, we rob ourselves of the blessings He has for us. This is why the Scripture urges us in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Contributing to the Body of Christ Rather Than Just Taking: Within this divine household, each member has a role to play. Being part of God's family comes with responsibilities, not just benefits. Actively participating in the "household chores," meaning serving and giving to others within the church community, strengthens the bonds of peace and demonstrates true Christian fellowship. The body of Christ is a place of giving and serving of other people, not just taking.
Ultimately, the peace that Jesus Christ secures for us with God is the wellspring from which all other peace flows. When we embrace this truth and allow it to transform our inner lives, we become agents of reconciliation and peace in a world desperately in need of both. The journey from chaos to peace, first within ourselves and then outwardly to others, is a continuous testament to the enduring faithfulness and transformative power of God.
Making it Practical
Reflect on Your Spiritual Journey: Take time this week to meditate on where God has brought you from and where He has brought you into, and the work He's done to get you there. This includes acknowledging the "chaos and hopelessness" of life before Christ and appreciating the "peace" found in Him. This isn't about dwelling on past mistakes, but about recognizing God's transformative work. Thank God you're not where you were.
Be a Preacher of Peace: The message of peace is for everyone. We are called to be peacemakers in our interactions, specifically by communicating what God has done in your life and the peace He has brought to you. Ask the Lord to bring one person into your life this week to minister to them.
Cultivate Peace in Your Relationships: A lack of peace often stems from selfish desires. Instead of fighting to be "right," prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to change your heart, allowing God to move and bring peace. Remember, "there is no peace without grace".
Engage in the Household of God: Being part of the "household of God" comes with responsibilities. This includes active fellowship and communion with other believers, as the church is meant to act as one family. It also means actively contributing to the body of Christ by giving and serving, rather than just taking. Look for ways to be involved and "fit together in the temple of God".
Live from a Firm Foundation: The foundation of the believer is Christ, and He is the "only foundation worth building on". Remaining on this "firm foundation" of faith and trust in Him provides peace even amidst trials and suffering. If there is turmoil in life, it may be a sign of having strayed from this precious foundation
Grace, mercy, and peace are not merely pleasantries; they are foundational pillars of the Christian faith, woven throughout the Gospel and particularly emphasized in Paul's epistles. These divine attributes, consistently highlighted by Paul and John in their greetings, underscore their significant importance for believers.
Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. It is a powerful demonstration of His character, as seen in Ephesians 2:4, where God, "who is rich in mercy," shows His compassion. Grace, on the other hand, is God's "unmerited favor," His act of giving us what we don't deserve, leading to our salvation through faith, as Ephesians 2:8 beautifully illustrates.
Before Christ, humanity was spiritually dead, separated from God and His ways. Ephesians 2:11-12 vividly describes this state, highlighting that Gentiles were "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world". This was a life characterized by chaos and turmoil. The Jewish people, though God's chosen, often misunderstood their position, viewing Gentiles with disdain and relying on outward signs like circumcision rather than inward faith. As Romans 2:29 reveals, "he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God". True spiritual identity, and thus true peace, was never meant to be confined by outward distinctions.
The significant shift from this state of death and chaos to life and peace is solely the work of Jesus Christ, the Peacemaker. Peace is exclusively available through Him. Ephesians 2:13 reveals this gracious intervention: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ". This divine "but now" signifies God's merciful and loving intervention, transforming our state from dead to alive.
How Jesus Brought Us Peace
Jesus brought peace in several critical ways. First, He reconciled Jew and Gentile, breaking down the "middle wall of separation". The physical barriers in the Temple, which separated Gentiles from the inner courts, were abolished when Christ's death tore the veil, granting all full access to God's throne. Second, Christ ended the enmity—the hatred and hostility—between humanity and God, and between people themselves. By fulfilling the law through His death, Jesus abolished its requirements, leading us to live by grace rather than by law. This act created "one new man," the Church, comprising both Jews and Gentiles united in Christ. Peace with God and others comes through submission to Him and His Word, and turmoil often indicates a lack of such submission.
Through Christ, believers gain "access by one Spirit to the Father". No longer are we "strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). This transformation is a move from being without Christ, hope, or God, to having full access to the Father and being part of God's family. This access is a result of Jesus being the "chief cornerstone" and the foundational rock upon which the church, the "holy temple," is built. God now dwells not in a physical building, but in the hearts of His people, His church.
How Peace with God Transforms Our Relationships
When we have peace with God, it fundamentally transforms how we relate to others. As Jesus made peace between Jew and Gentile, we are called to be peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". This calling is not an optional add-on to the Christian life; it is an inherent characteristic of those who have been reconciled to God. Unfortunately, as James 4:1 reminds us, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" Our own selfish desires are often the root cause of conflict and division in our relationships.
True peace, therefore, requires a radical shift in perspective and a willingness to surrender our self-centered impulses. It demands:
Allowing God to Change Our Hearts: The natural human inclination is to demand that others change to suit our desires. However, genuine peace begins when we humbly ask God to transform our own hearts. This means prioritizing a change within ourselves, rather than focusing on the perceived shortcomings of others.
Showing Grace to Others as We've Received Grace: Having experienced God's "unmerited favor", we are now equipped and called to extend that same favor to those around us. As it has been wisely observed, "there is no peace without grace". When we withhold grace, we obstruct the very flow of peace that God intends for our relationships.
Recognizing We're All Part of the Same Household of God: In Christ, we are "no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). This spiritual reality means that every believer is part of one family, the church, the "body of Christ". This understanding should foster a spirit of unity and belonging, transcending superficial differences. As has been often stated, if you want to see God working in your life, you've got to be with God's people. It's kind of like a jigsaw puzzle; each of us has been made in the image of a massively vast God. As humans, we each contain only a portion of that image, but as we start connecting with other disciples, the image starts to take shape and we can truly see who God is. God has always desired partnership with mankind to display His glory. When we fail to be with those created new in Christ, we rob ourselves of the blessings He has for us. This is why the Scripture urges us in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Contributing to the Body of Christ Rather Than Just Taking: Within this divine household, each member has a role to play. Being part of God's family comes with responsibilities, not just benefits. Actively participating in the "household chores," meaning serving and giving to others within the church community, strengthens the bonds of peace and demonstrates true Christian fellowship. The body of Christ is a place of giving and serving of other people, not just taking.
Ultimately, the peace that Jesus Christ secures for us with God is the wellspring from which all other peace flows. When we embrace this truth and allow it to transform our inner lives, we become agents of reconciliation and peace in a world desperately in need of both. The journey from chaos to peace, first within ourselves and then outwardly to others, is a continuous testament to the enduring faithfulness and transformative power of God.
Making it Practical
Reflect on Your Spiritual Journey: Take time this week to meditate on where God has brought you from and where He has brought you into, and the work He's done to get you there. This includes acknowledging the "chaos and hopelessness" of life before Christ and appreciating the "peace" found in Him. This isn't about dwelling on past mistakes, but about recognizing God's transformative work. Thank God you're not where you were.
Be a Preacher of Peace: The message of peace is for everyone. We are called to be peacemakers in our interactions, specifically by communicating what God has done in your life and the peace He has brought to you. Ask the Lord to bring one person into your life this week to minister to them.
Cultivate Peace in Your Relationships: A lack of peace often stems from selfish desires. Instead of fighting to be "right," prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to change your heart, allowing God to move and bring peace. Remember, "there is no peace without grace".
Engage in the Household of God: Being part of the "household of God" comes with responsibilities. This includes active fellowship and communion with other believers, as the church is meant to act as one family. It also means actively contributing to the body of Christ by giving and serving, rather than just taking. Look for ways to be involved and "fit together in the temple of God".
Live from a Firm Foundation: The foundation of the believer is Christ, and He is the "only foundation worth building on". Remaining on this "firm foundation" of faith and trust in Him provides peace even amidst trials and suffering. If there is turmoil in life, it may be a sign of having strayed from this precious foundation
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Discussion Questions
1. Grace, mercy, and peace are "foundational pillars" of our faith. How do you personally define and experience each of these in your daily walk with God? (Ephesians 2:4, 8, 14; 2 John 1:3)
2. How have you personally experienced the "significant shift from this state of death and chaos to life and peace" that Jesus brings? Share a brief example. Ephesians 2:13; Titus 3:3-7)
3. Our text this week demonstrates how Christ has ended "enmity" (hatred and hostility). Where do you see such enmity manifesting in the world or even in personal relationships today, and how does Christ's reconciliation offer the true solution? (Ephesians 2:15-16)
4. As members of the Household of God, we are to be "contributing to the body of Christ rather than just taking." What are some practical ways you believe you can contribute to our church community, beyond simply attending services? (Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 10:24-25)
5. What are some "household chores" (areas of service, giving, or participation) within our church family that you feel God might be calling you to engage in, or learn more about? (Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 10:24-25)
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