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Abounding sin precludes peace with God or man (9:22; Jdg. 6:24; Ps. 29:11; Isa. 9:6; Jn. 14:27)
- Idolatry (harlotries)—trading God for gods
- Witchcraft (sorcery)—trusting in superstition

The effects of personal sin lead to human brutality (1 Kgs 18:4; 21)
Those who oppose or get in the way of satisfying the full expression of sin become casualties themselves.
- Naboth and sons (9:26)
- Servant prophets, all the LORD’S servants (9:7)

Where peace is broken, only justice can repair—the route from injustice to peace must run through justice (9:26)
“I will surely make you pay for it...”
NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE – peace comes when payment-in-full of that which was violated, brings justice.

There are two possible responses to the offer of peace, repentance or defiance (9:30-37)
There is no possible salvation for those who have been graced to witness the power of God and turn away from it. (1 Kgs 17-2 Kgs 9), the widows, the rain, the famines, the showdown on Carmel, the miraculous victories, the healings!

If you double down on defiance, there is no peace possible (9:31)

How can there be peace...with God?
Only a perfect righteous, infinitely costly sacrifice is payment enough for a humanly impossible indebtedness.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus Christ), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Col. 1:19-20)

We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:20,21)

Injustice in this world cannot get to peace and bypass Christ; human injustice can only get to a place of lasting peace and reconciliation in Christ at the cross. Justice requires payment in full (justification), and reconciliation requires forgiveness, both realities were purchased for us by Christ at the cross.

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