Peace

<<harmony>>

The physical calmness, contentment, patience and serenity between people, God and people, or within a person themselves; it is life giving, liberating and provides security. Inner tranquillity in the spirit should quiet the agitation and confusion that we sometimes experience. Peace is not just the absence of

When we have peace with God, we will experience the peace of God

war, noise or conflict, rather it’s focusing on God and His promises, confident that He is in control and lovingly working in all situations for our good, so “Let the peace of God rule in your heart” (Rom 8:28,35-39; Col 3:15; 2 Thes 3:16; 1 Tim 1:12). “You will keep in perfect peace the person whose mind is steadfast because they trust in you” (Isa 26:3). Having the peace of God is an inner witness of the Holy Spirit in seeking guidance. Jesus is called the Prince of peace and He gives us a peace which is unaffected by the world’s strife (Isa 9:6; Jn 14:27).

One of our responsibilities or roles as believers is to take the presence of Christ wherever we go and release His peace into the situations we encounter. Peace is a quality of God and thus, as a fruit of the Spirit, needs to be developed in our lives and become a hallmark of our lifestyle, as opposed to aggression and disharmony which are works of Satan (Gal 5:19-23). Jesus said, “In the world you will have trouble yet in [Him] we can have peace” – a calming and stabilizing influence (Jn 16:33). “The peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds” as you rejoice in Him, make Him your focus, pray about everything and put into practice His teachings, for to have real peace a person must be in right relationship with God (Phil 4:4-9).

Divine peace dispels natural fear, with the mind controlled by the Spirit, resulting in life and peace while the mind of sinful man brings destruction and death (Jn 20:19; Rom 8:6). “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Ps 34:14; 2 Tim 2:22). “Great peace have those who love your Word, and nothing can make them stumble…There will be glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good”

Know God, know peace – No God, no peace

(Ps 119:165; Rom 2:10). “The Kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men” (Rom 14:17,18). “The God of peace be with you all” (Rom 15:33; 1 Cor 1:3).

Jesus by His sacrifice on the cross as our substitute resolved the sin conflict with God – “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Isa 53:5; Rom 5:1; Eph 2:14,15; Col 1:19,20).

The angels declared “Peace on earth” at the time of Jesus birth, although His message would not always create peace for there would be conflict between those who follow Him and those who don’t (Mt 10:34-9; Lk 2:14). “The fruit of righteousness will be peace” while “There will be no peace for the wicked” (Isa 32:17, 48:22).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God” (Mt 5:9). Isaac and his men dug three wells before disputes with the other shepherds stopped, for rather than have a conflict he forfeited the first two wells (Gen 26:17-22). With peacemaking, both parties are winners, while in a conflict there are seldom any winners. To pursue peace requires effort and self-control to overlook offences and surrender personal rights, focusing on issues that unite rather than the differences and irritations that divide (Prov 17:9; 1 Pet 3:11). We are to “Endeavour to be at peace with everybody, and do what leads to peace” for life is hard enough without creating unnecessary relational problems (Rom 12:18, 14:19). We need wisdom to know when to compromise and give in on issues and when to remain firm, knowing that our responses are not just about our own self and opinions but a matter of integrity and obedience to Bible principles – if these are being challenged – or lovingly confronting believers not walking in truth (1 Tim 2:1,2).

Speaking to the raging sea, Jesus said, “Peace, be still” (Mk 4:39). Our words also have power to either calm or enflame situations (Prov 15:1; Jas 3:5,6). Peacekeeping is the active maintenance of a truce between hostile states or communities. Pacifism is the belief it is wrong to settle disputes by war or violence. It’s adherents, often called conscientious objectors, refuse to enlist in the military and take up arms.