Daily Devotionals

Lifeline Week 3: Friday

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1

We are never alone because God is with us. This truth makes all the difference. This is good news, but there is even more news beyond this incredible truth. God is with us, and because of Jesus, we have peace with Him. Jesus came and did everything to offer peace with God. He also makes peace with others possible.

Sometimes loneliness comes because of conflict that arises with people close to us. When we have conflict with the people in our lives, we often feel very alone. We feel alienated. God never intended for a world filled with conflict and division. These things are a result of sin. God is a God of peace. That means that He offers peace with Him and with others. The apostle Paul wrote about God's peace that He offers in Romans 5. "Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us" (verse 1). Because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, we can have a restored relationship with Him when we place our faith in Him. 

Beyond peace with God, God also makes peace with other people possible, especially those who also follow Christ. Paul teaches in chapter 12 of Romans that because of Jesus' death and resurrection, those who place their faith in Him are all united because they are part of the church, the body of Christ. Unfortunately, because we live in a world corrupted with sin, the enemy often tries to wreck our peace with others. Therefore, we have to work to have peace with others. Because of this, throughout this chapter, Paul explained ways to keep peace with other members of the Body of Christ. Then, he wrote, "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone" (verse 18). Because peace with others is so important, we must do everything we can to keep peace.

When conflict threatens to make us feel lonely, sometimes we must remember God brings peace. He brings peace to our relationships with Him and with other people. So we must strive to be peacemakers if we want to fight loneliness. One of the ways we do that is to seek restoration in our broken relationships. Because of what Jesus has done for us, peace is possible, and we get to be ambassadors of His peace. 

Moving toward action

Is there a relationship in your life that needs peace? You may have had an ongoing conflict with someone. You may be currently facing a conflict with someone in your life. Spend some time thinking about and praying about how you can take a step toward peace with them. Then, begin taking that step today.

Going Deeper

Romans 12:1-21

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heapburning coals of shame on their heads.”

21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.