Counsel of Spiritual Life
Counsel #13 — Peace in believing
Picture: Counsel #13 — Peace in believing CSL 91.1
Believing in God brings real inner peace. For Christians, that peace starts with one powerful truth: we’re made right with God through faith—not by trying harder, being perfect, or following a bunch of religious rules.11 It’s all about trusting in what Jesus did for us when He died for our sins on the cross. That truth takes the pressure off trying to be good enough for God to save us and replaces our anxiety with peace. CSL 91.2
Martin Luther, a reformer who lived in the 1500s and helped spark major change in the church, wrestled for years with guilt and fear, thinking he had to earn God’s approval. But everything changed when he realized he didn’t have to earn anything—Jesus already did it all! Luther found peace when he understood that being right with God came through faith in Christ, not through his own efforts (righteousness by faith). He learned to trust in God's promises, knowing that salvation and peace are gifts freely given, not earned.12 CSL 91.3
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1 NKJV CSL 91.4
“Believe, believe! my soul says, believe. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to His trust. He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him who hath loved you.” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 319 CSL 91.5
Reflect: When your heart is troubled, how do you actively choose to believe in God and in Jesus? CSL 91.6