Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 13:11c, where we read these words:
" . . . And the God of love and peace will be with you."Even the world relishes the idea of a God of "love and peace." Their "love and peace" god, however, is not the Lord of heaven and earth, the One who sovereignly saves some sinners, and judges all sin with death (according to His perfect and holy law). Unbelievers' idea of "love and peace" is really more like, “lust; and leave me alone."
But Paul's statement above *does* apply to the redeemed church. The True God of "love and peace" *is* with us; and we enjoy His blessed attributes of love and peace, as we are maturing, united, and secure (as the Body of Christ), [see the earlier parts of v. 13].
[Puritan quote of the day: "If temptations arise from natural causes, then nat-ural means, as medicines, are to be used and applied; and people would do well to be persuaded thereunto.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]
