Be encouraged, stand firm in the peace which is from God
Peace would be one of the few universal needs acknowledged by almost all of mankind. The desire for peace instills most individuals and nations, yet it proves to be one of the most difficult to obtain. So many internal and external factors come into play in the quest for it. Globally, spiritual peace also proves to be desirable yet difficult to achieve.
Why is this? Because of two instinctive failings; First, mankind struggles to accurately define peace. Second, mankind looks in all the wrong places for it, and usually they’re looking for the wrong thing anyway (Due to reason number one).
However, for the believer in Jesus Christ, they can say; “we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). This profound statement by the apostle Paul satisfies both aspects of our question. First, peace is understood as a restored and tranquil relationship with God. Second, this relationship with God can only be discovered through faith in Jesus Christ’s death on the cross of Calvary in your place. Paul said this peace grows out of Jesus justifying the believer. That is, Jesus acquits the repentant sinner from ultimate guilt of sin; He then declares the repentant sinner to be right before God.
Paul further explains this peace to the Colossians; “But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence” (Colossians 1:22 GNB). WOW! “God has made you his friends.” The enormity of this God given gift is magnified by the preceding verse; “At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought” (Colossians 1:21 GNB).
Christ is the peace answer
So, peace is quantified by the friendship nature of the relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This relationship is only possible through trust in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet, knowing this is still not enough! Faith must be actual, real, and consciously exercised in order to translate belief into loving obedience. Peace is therefore with God and from God, to be enjoyed by the believer. No other way, no other religion, no other philosophy promises such supreme peace.
Therefore, we find ultimate eternal peace with God in Christ, He is our peace! No wonder Paul says that the praying, thankful Christian has “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, (and) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Once this unique relationship is sealed (Eph 1:13), the friend of God lives with a totally different outlook on life. Now, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the believer understands that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Living for righteousness instead of for self and sin changes the Christian’s perspective totally.
Since Christ is our peace, living out His righteousness is primary. Righteous living is the Christian’s vehicle for expressing authentic faith; because “the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever” (Isaiah 32:17). I suspect everyone would like to live with peace, quietness and trust permeating their lives nonstop.
Today Christian friend, be encouraged to stand firm in the peace which is from God. Pass it on. The Lord will be pleased and the recipient will get the blessing.