Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1)

Have you ever gone into a conversation seeking peaceful resolution only for it to become another argument? Many of us desire peace with God and other people, but life is messy. As soon as we face serious conflict, it is easier to cut ties or keep a relationship at a distance. It is difficult to address the depth of a serious conflict and move toward each other in a resolution. What’s more, we are the complete offending party in our sin before God, and we can never earn peace with Him on our own.

But the good news of the gospel is God has taken the initiative to make peace possible. He made the path to peace that we could never navigate on our own. Since God has established peace with us, we can also have peace with other people. In seeking peace, we need to look no further than the Prince of Peace. His gift of justification wasn’t just a way out of the consequences of sin but also for a life of peace that is only possible through Jesus.

• What makes conflict resolution with others difficult?
• Why is it important to remember God as the author of peace? How does that change how you pursue peace?
• Pray and confess to God who you struggle to find peace with. Ask Him to direct you in His peace.