Christmas means You can have Peace with God!
1 Timothy 2:5–6
31.22 μεσίτηςa, ου m: (derivative of μεσιτεύω ‘to bring about an agreement,’ 31.21) one who causes or helps parties to come to an agreement, with the implication of guaranteeing the certainty of the arrangement—‘go between, mediator.’ διαταγεὶς δἰ ἀγγέλων ἐν χειρὶ μεσίτου ‘(the Law) was put into effect through angels by a mediator’ Ga 3:19.
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (367). New York: United Bible Societies.
40.6 μεσίτηςb, ου m: a person who acts as a mediator in bringing about reconciliation—‘mediator, one who reconciles.’3 εἷς καὶ μεσίτης θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἄνθρωπος Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς ‘there is one mediator between God and people, the man Jesus Christ’ 1 Tm 2:5. A mediator may be spoken of in a number of different ways, often idiomatically, for example, ‘one who stands in the middle,’ ‘one who speaks to both,’ ‘one who cuts palavers,’ or ‘one who causes arguments to cease.’ It is also possible, however, to regard μεσίτης as being related to the process of causing agreement between the parties in question. For this aspect of the meaning of μεσίτης, see 31.22.
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (502). New York: United Bible Societies.
Romans 5:1, 8-10
The word “therefore” reaches back to the contents of chapter four—therefore being justified, not by works (1–8), [7 highlights] not by ordinances (9–12), [6 highlights] not by law obedience (13–25), [6 highlights] but by faith, we have peace. The first three never give peace to the soul. Faith does. [5 highlights][1]
Peace (εἰρήνην). Not contentment, satisfaction, quiet, see Philip. 4:7; but the state of reconciliation as opposed to enmity (ver. 10).[2]
As Denney says; “The justified have peace with God, … His wrath (1:18) no longer threatens them; they are accepted in Christ. It is not a change in their feelings which is indicated, but a change in God’s relation to them.”[3]
Here εἰρηνην ἐχωμεν [eirēnēn echōmen] can only mean: “Let us enjoy peace with God” or “Let us retain peace with God.” [4]
Peace with God involves: Friendship.
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. James 2:23
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? James 4:4–5
Peace with God involves: Adoption.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4–7
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:15–16
How the Prodigal Son Found Peace
Luke 15:11-24
· The son’s love for the world caused him to be separated from his Father.
· The son experienced the consequences of his sins and the more he tried to do things on his own, the worse it became.
· Coming to his senses, the son decided to return home knowing he was no longer worthy to be considered a son.
God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:25–26
· The Father ran to the son and loved Him, celebrating their reconciliation.
Do You have this Peace with God?
[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader (Ro 5:1). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
[2] Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Ro 5:1). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
[3] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader (Ro 5:1). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
[4] Robertson, A. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ro 5:1). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
