It’s no secret that the world is far from peaceful. We hear about wars, famine, climate crises, pandemics, family breakdowns, and lawlessness. Yet, amidst all this chaos, the church speaks of “Peace with God.” How is this possible? The truth is, real peace within your heart—peace with God—is achievable, but only if you approach it on His terms, not your own.
Before Jesus Christ was crucified, He assured His followers by saying, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT). Countless Christians around the globe have experienced this peace, and you can too. A friend of mine who recently became a Christian often exclaims, “It really works, doesn’t it!” Every day, he uncovers more truths in God’s Word that resonate in his life since accepting Jesus as his Savior. The key to finding peace with God is simple: stop resisting His control over your life.
In the early history of humanity, before Jesus came, God mainly interacted with people on a national level, choosing Israel to represent Him and lead others into His peace. Sadly, the nation often disobeyed and failed to fulfill this role. Eventually, they were exiled and scattered, and though they still exist today, they rejected Jesus and are no longer the example to the world that they once were.
However, when Jesus arrived, everything changed. Peace with God was no longer about belonging to a specific nation; it became a personal matter available to every individual. Thanks to Jesus’ sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, each of us is given a choice: we can either go our own way or follow Him.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT).
Following Jesus isn’t about adhering to religion (which Jesus Himself condemned), adopting a strict lifestyle, or separating yourself from the world. It’s about starting fresh—relinquishing control of your life and allowing Jesus to guide you. It’s simple yet profound. All it takes is a prayer, but you must sincerely be ready to surrender control of your life to Him. I can assure you, “It really works.”
How Can I Begin to Follow Christ and Experience Peace with God?
If you’re ready for this step, you can either speak with someone at a church, or take a moment by yourself in a quiet place. All you need is a prayer spoken from the heart. Kneel and tell Jesus:
“Jesus, I recognize that You are God’s Son, and I’ve been living life my own way for many years. I understand that I’ve made mistakes and ignored You. I ask for Your forgiveness and invite You into my life to lead me as You see fit, trusting that following You is the best path for me. Please give me this new life and the peace You promised—free from sin and guided by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”
If there are specific things you feel you need to confess, go ahead—Jesus won’t be surprised. In fact, it can bring you great relief to speak openly about it.
Believing that Jesus will fulfill His promises is called faith. Once you’ve prayed, share this decision with someone. Find a good church either by contacting us for suggestions or visiting one in person. A solid church community will be able to provide more insight and support than what I can cover here.
If you have a Bible, start reading the New Testament, especially the books that detail the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as well as the early church’s beginnings (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts). This will help you learn more about what Jesus taught and how to apply His teachings to your own life. Build your relationship with Him by praying—He longs to hear from you!
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