And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. – Colossians 1:20
Perhaps you’ve seen Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul Sunday” show. It premiered in 2011 with the intent of helping people develop greater meaning in their lives and a strong inner peace. Her guests have included Elie Wiesel, Maya Angelou, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra—and more than a few celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Julia Roberts, and Prince Harry. Missing from her soul-searchers are evangelical preachers and ordinary people with a deep and consistent faith in God through Jesus Christ. Those who appear with their own ideas on finding inner peace are missing its only Source!
The basis for inner peace, according to evangelist and pastor F. B. Meyer, “was laid on Calvary, when our Lord died for the sins of the world. … How did such a marvelous act of sacrifice constitute a basis for peace? The full answer to that question is impossible in our present limited knowledge. It is one of the secret things which belong to the Lord our God, hidden from us now, to be revealed when we are full-grown.” Everyone is on the search for the “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Jesus said, “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). It is not the world’s peace, but the same peace that God possesses in His divine nature.
Bible teacher and author Rob Morgan tells of a time he was invited to speak to a small group of Christian workers in China. He asked his host what it was he should speak to them about. “Just tell us about Jesus,” was the response. The chorus of a hymn written in 1887 says, “More, more about Jesus; more, more about Jesus; more of His saving fullness see, more of his love who died for me.” If the cry of your heart is for inner peace, learn more of Jesus. Pastor Morgan wrote, “To the Christian, He is our Christ who is our life, the Name above All Names, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Lover of our souls and the Redeemer of our Lives, the name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease; ‘tis music in the sinner’s ear, ‘tis life and health and peace.‘”
Today’s Verse: Colossians 1:20
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Colossians 1:15-23
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
