By Matthew F. Leighty
Executive Director
Is there anything more significant in life than having Christ’s peace? To be wholly reconciled to Him. No matter how much I may enjoy the things of this world, nothing compares to being in complete alignment with our loving Savior. The wonderful thing is we don’t have to do anything to make this happen. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we have peace, knowing we are one with Him.
Paul sheds light on this in Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV).
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
In the heart of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we find a passage that captures the essence of our faith. It tells us that Jesus Christ is the fullness of God made flesh. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Christ achieved the ultimate reconciliation, restoring all creation to harmony with the Creator.
Through His blood on the cross, we find peace—a peace that is not merely an absence of conflict but the presence of restored relationships and eternal communion with God. This profound truth reminds us that in Christ, we are no longer estranged but brought into His holy family, fully known and fully loved.
In the verses of the hymn “Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive,” we are reminded of the profound truth that lies at the heart of reconciliation and forgiveness. The hymn, penned by Rosamond Herklots, echoes the Apostle Paul’s words in Colossians 1:19-20, inviting us to contemplate the fullness of God’s grace.
As we sing, “You taught us, Lord, to pray, but you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say,” we acknowledge our human frailty and the assistance we need through Christ to genuinely forgive. This hymn is not just a nice melody; it is a prayer, a commitment, and a reflection of our journey toward peace through the blood of Christ. It encourages us to embrace the peace that surpasses all understanding from being wholly reconciled to our loving Savior.
Reflecting on this hymn is a powerful way to internalize the message of reconciliation central to our Christian faith. It serves as a reminder that, in Christ, we find the ultimate example of forgiveness, and through Him, we are empowered to extend that forgiveness to others, thus experiencing the peace of being one with Him.
As we explore this theme, Worship Anew continues its vital work, bringing the message of reconciliation we have through Christ.
The ministry’s resources are threaded with God’s redemptive plan, woven together to offer a perfect peace to a broken world in need. Here, we learn of the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding—a peace that assures us we are forever at one with our loving Savior.
Lord, may our lives spread your peace.