“And
the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Of all the attributes of God that the world desires, I can
think of none more coveted than “peace”.
This kind of “peace” surpasses “understanding”, it surpasses human logic
and reasoning, it cannot be learned from a text book, it cannot be purchased at
a store, and it cannot be obtained by force, because God is its “author”!
“For
God is not the author of confusion,
but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians
14:33
We can find references in the Bible that say that our good “works” are to be a witness to others of
our faith (James 2). We can also find references that say that the “love” that we have for other disciples
shows the world that we are Christians (John 13:34, 35). The problem with these
and other indicators is that they can be faked, at least for a time. But “the peace of God” is an inner witness,
it is that inexplicable something about genuine Christians that everyone wants
and needs that cannot be counterfeited, it is a gift from Jesus.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart
be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
We all desire the traits associated with “peace”, like quietness, rest, contentment,
joy, safety, etc. But this kind of “peace”
can only be found in a personal relationship with God through his son, Jesus
Christ. We cannot have the “peace of
God” until we have made “peace with
God”! Before salvation, we were the enemies of God, we were at war with
him, and there was no “peace” in our
heart. This “peace of God” is a fruit
of the Spirit (Galatians 5:24, 25) that is a byproduct of having made “peace with God” through faith in Jesus
Christ.
“Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1
Hasn’t the war gone on long enough inside your soul? Isn’t
it time to wave the white flag and surrender your life to him? We often
misquote a famous Christmas passage, in a famous Christmas song, by saying
“peace on earth, good will toward men”. But Luke 2:14 actually says, “…on earth peace, good will toward men”.
You see, Jesus Christ is the “Prince of
peace” and he was actually “on earth”,
but he came to bring “division”
rather than “peace” (Luke 12:51).
Friend, there will be no true and lasting “peace”
on earth until the “Prince of peace”
returns, but you can have “peace” in
your heart right now. Have you been divided, set apart, and sanctified unto God
by faith in Christ? Do you have “the
peace of God” (Jesus Christ) living inside you? Would you be willing to bow
the head and humble the heart and by prayer, and ask this “peace” child into your heart right now?
“For
unto us a child is born, unto us a
son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
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