The cost of Peace

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... — Romans 5:1

The cost of peace is always high. Our peace was purchased by Jesus' enormous sacrifice. God made sure the price for our rebellion was paid, but he didn't make us pay it because we could never have fulfilled our obligation. Instead, God paid it himself in Jesus.

Plow

. Proverbs 20:4

Sluggards  do not plow in season;

 so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

. Amos 6:12

Do horses run on the rocky crags?

 Does one plow the sea with oxen?

 But you have turned justice into poison 

 and the fruit of righteousness  into bitterness —

. Luke 9:62

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

. 1 Corinthians 9:10

Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,  because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

Letters 

. John 7:15

The Jews  there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning  without having been taught?”

. 2 Corinthians 3:1

Are we beginning to commend ourselves  again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation  to you or from you?

. Galatians 6:11

. 2 Corinthians 10:10

For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive  and his speaking amounts to nothing.”

[Message No: 7988]