Faithful Servants: St. Francis Xavier

The War of 1812 was over on December 24, 1814. Unfortunately, back then, news didn’t spread as fast as it does now, and the famous Battle of New Orleans was fought two weeks later. Many people died—all because they hadn’t heard the news.

Sometimes, as Christians, we do something very similar, acting as if there is still a war between us and God. We haven’t let the news sink in that the war is over. It was over the day Jesus paid for our sins. We no longer have to worry about whether or not we’re good enough for God. God loves us anyway; His love for us does not depend on what we do.

Just like the Battle of New Orleans, we continue fighting—trying to earn our way into God’s favor—as if God’s victory isn’t final. The peace treaty between God and man was signed when Jesus died for our sins, and, when we put our faith in Christ, our names are added to the bottom of it, letting His peace come into our lives.

The war is over! Rejoice and rest in Jesus! • Rebecca Linam

• Reread today’s Bible passages. What does it mean to have peace with God?

• Read 2 Corinthians 1:20. Is Jesus always true to His promises?

• Why do we often try to “earn†our salvation instead of letting Jesus handle it for us? Can anything separate us from God’s love in Christ (Romans 8:38-39)?

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 (NLT)

Read Verses:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Philippians 2:5-8