How to Have Peace with God

Scripture Reference: Leviticus 3

Introduction

The peace offering, also known as the fellowship offering, is one of the sacrifices in the Old Testament that allowed worshippers to connect with God. It was a unique sacrifice in which the worshiper offered a blood sacrifice to bridge the enmity between themselves and God, symbolizing reconciliation. This act of offering an unblemished animal points to Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He bore our sins, mended the broken relationship caused by Adam’s fall, and granted believers the gift of peace with God. As Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Practical Lessons from the Peace Offering

#1. Blood Is Needed to Bring Peace with God

In the peace offering, blood was essential to establish peace between the worshiper and God. God prescribed specific animals—cattle, sheep, or goats—to be offered without blemish. This unblemished animal signified purity, aligning with God’s requirements for holiness and signaling the need for a perfect sacrifice to cover sins. Similarly, God offered His own Son, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Through Jesus’ blood, we are reconciled to God, fulfilling what animal sacrifices only symbolized temporarily. As Hebrews 9:22 emphasizes, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

#2. Transfer of Sins to the Sacrifice

A notable aspect of the peace offering was that the worshiper laid their hands on the animal, symbolically transferring their sins to the creature before it was sacrificed. This act acknowledges human guilt and the need for substitutionary atonement. Just as the animal bore the worshiper’s sins, Jesus bore our sins on the cross, becoming our substitute. As stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” This transference of sin is a powerful reminder to value Christ’s sacrifice and never take for granted the cost of our redemption.

#3. The Complete Offering Given to God

The priest who received the peace offering offered everything—the entire animal was consecrated to God. The priest killed the animal, sprinkled its blood on the altar, and burned it as a fragrant offering to the Lord. Unlike other offerings where parts were eaten by the priests or the worshiper, this offering was wholly devoted to God, symbolizing full surrender and dedication to Him. This foreshadows God’s complete offering of His Son, who gave His all to redeem us. In Romans 8:32, Paul writes, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Through this sacrifice, we see that peace with God requires complete devotion and total surrender.

Conclusion

True peace comes only from God and is made possible through sacrifice. The Old Testament peace offering symbolizes the peace Christ secured for us through His sacrifice on the cross. We are reminded that peace with God requires humility, acknowledgment of our sins, and an appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb without blemish. Philippians 4:7 promises, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This divine peace transcends earthly circumstances, bringing us closer to the heart of God. May we honor the sacrifice of Christ, embracing His peace as we surrender wholly to Him.