Published on 06/4/2008

Barack Obama will be the first African-American major party presidential candidate. Now speculation turns to Hillary Clinton's role in the upcoming campaign. This morning's New York Times opines that Mr. Obama must repair relations with his opponent before he can move on in with the general election. How he brings peace to his party will say much about his chances in November.

Peace is the elusive but essential ingredient in any kind of significant purpose or happiness. As we seek the blessing Jesus alone can give, we're exploring the seventh of his Beatitudes: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God," (Matthew 5:9). Yesterday we learned that we must be at peace with God before we can be at peace with others or ourselves. To have such peace, first we must accept the love of God, offered in his Son's sacrifice for us on the cross.

The biblical logic is simple: we cannot be at peace with a perfect God and live in his perfect heaven unless we are made perfect ourselves. This is why Jesus died on the cross: to pay the penalty for our sins, to purchase our forgiveness. We can only be at peace with God by making Jesus our Savior and Lord.

If you're trying to be good enough for God--religious enough, moral enough, successful or significant enough--know that you're not succeeding. Imagine what it would take for a human being to impress the God of the universe. But we can accept the atoning love of Jesus, and be made right with God. This is the first step to true peace.

Next, if you want peace, obey the word of God. In a recent interview, musician Paul Simon said, "The only thing that God requires from us is to enjoy life--and love. It doesn't matter if you accomplish anything. You don't have to do anything but appreciate that you're alive. And love, that's the whole point." Note the contrast between his statement and God's word.

The Psalmist prayed, "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble" (Psalm 119:165). God lamented, "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river" (Isaiah 48:18). Scripture gives the guideposts we need to live successfully. Here are the signs which point us to our destination and keep us out of ditches. These principles are for our good, and they give us God's peace. So meet God every day in the Scriptures. Measure your every decision by his truth. Obey his word, and you'll have his peace. We’ll continue tomorrow.