Romans 3:17 “…and the way of peace they do not know.”
We are a sin-filled people, desperately in need of a Savior. And sin separates us from Him. It steals our joy, destroys our hope, and leaves us in a state of unrest. We lack peace when we are caught in the clutches of sin. The first three chapters of the book of Romans show us just how depraved and in need of saving we truly are.
It is from that context that we find today’s verse. It quotes Isaiah 59:7-8 and emphasizes the point that if we do not have God in our lives, we are destructive and incapable of finding true peace or spiritual well-being. It is impossible without Him because He is peace. Isaiah had condemned Israel for their injustice and their rejection of God and His ways. Paul used this to point out how humanity is clueless in finding the way of peace.
What is the way of peace?
Not only is this a peace with God through reconciliation and redemption, but it is also peace with others and a sense of true, inner contentment. It is not just the absence of conflict. It is so much more. We have already explored the meaning of shalom (Hebrew for peace) and eirene (Greek for peace) in previous devotions. These embody a state of complete harmony, well-being, and restoration across all creation, one that is centered on a right relationship with God. It is this peace that we are unable to find, unable to replicate, unable to create on our own.
It is a very bleak, hopeless message. Living without a relationship with God leaves us wandering about in utter misery and depravity. We live a life of hopelessness and conflict.
But we have hope! The book of Romans goes on to show how we are saved and the path to true peace (shalom) and security – through faith in Jesus. We must recognize our need for God and the fact that we cannot make true peace on our own. It is given to us through His grace. And we need to believe that we are deserving of shalom in our life.
We need to lean on the Spirit to help guide us in our interactions with others, helping us to react not with pride, anger, selfishness, or other worldly reactions, but with the love of God to help us bridge the gap in cases of disagreement, allowing us to live in peace with others.
What can you do today to embrace the peace of God? How can you usher in a true sense of shalom in your current lifestyle?
Prayer: Lord, Without You I have no peace. I am lost and desperate for Your grace and all You have to offer. Let me not take it for granted. Help me to share it with those who need it, too. Amen
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