7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Look at what the Holy Spirit tells us: that we are to fear nothing from God! I sure do not hear that Truth preached enough. Keeping peace in mind, let’s talk about the punishment of Hell here. How is it that we are not to fear eternal punishment? How is it that we can have perfect peace and be tranquil when we think of Hell? If it is true that most of our family, loved ones, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and co-workers are going to be thrown into Hell and suffer for all of eternity, how can we be tranquil and have peace that passes all understanding? We couldn’t. The only way that we could even begin to have peace is if we are selfish and only concerned with ourselves. And amen, Jesus just doesn’t let us be concerned with ourselves. Our whole life in Christ is about others and we could not have any peace or tranquility if most everyone in our lives is going to suffer for all of eternity. Ask yourself, how could we have any joy in eternity if a majority of everyone that we ever knew was suffering as we were living it up? That would be like living under a dictatorship and prospering and celebrating while he was torturing the masses.
The only way for us to have any peace and tranquility is if Jesus’ sacrifice is so powerful that it covers even those who were unaware that it does. The glorious Truth for us is that His sacrifice does just that!
Nor is the free gift at all to be compared to the effect of that one [man’s] sin. For the sentence [following the trespass] of one [man] brought condemnation, whereas the free gift [following] many transgressions brings justification (an act of righteousness). Romans 5:16
Well then, as one man’s trespass [one man’s false step and falling away led] to condemnation for all men, so one Man’s act of righteousness [leads] to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men. Romans 5:18
Look at what our Father had written, Jesus’ act of righteousness leads to the acquittal and life for all men. How many men? All men! Jesus was that successful. Grace is that powerful. The only way for us to not have any fear of the things from God is to know that Jesus will make sure that all men make it to eternity. If it were true that He doesn’t do this, then we can’t help but be scared and there sure can’t be tranquility. We may not all be chosen to be the Bride of Christ, but our Wedding is filled with guests and that allows us to have perfect peace and be tranquil regardless of what our physical eyes see.
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