Today I want to speak to you briefly about peace. The world is living times of injustice and fear. The symptoms of the spiritual war are seen on a daily basis. In the midst of the daily conversations, people claim peace. Although we see that the term peace is commonly used, in the biblical aspect and the spiritual aspect it is much deeper than the implications on the daily conversations that people normally use. In the worldly language, the word peace is used to express the lack of conflict or lack of harmony, but for us the Christian church we understand that peace is something much deeper and whole. We know that in the midst of conflict we can experiment peace.
The Bible teaches that God is a God of peace." For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV). He is the origin of peace. "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NKJV). That God of peace loves us so much that he sacrificed his only begotten son for their salvation of mind kind. Then the Bible also describes our savior as the prince of peace. “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)
Being saved by grace through faith and reaching salvation because I’m through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we can have peace. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1 NKJV) Far from the presence of God it is impossible to have peace. We need to be grateful that the Lamb was the one that cleansed our sins because of ourselves are lacking of any merits for justification. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ reconciled us with God the Father and opened the doors of heaven for us. It would be impossible to have any kind of peace without reestablishing bonds with God. It is precisely the fact of salvation that allows us to reach the peace of our relationship with God and what that entails. During his years of ministry Jesus was an example of how to live our lives. In his teachings, which are the perfect guide for a Christian life we find the foundation for His peace. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV) Jesus came to break the rules of the world that would deviate man’s path. The corruption of the human being impedes that we have a life that is plentiful of peace. In Jesus we find the way and the truth to reach the kingdom which generates the certainty from which we receive peace. Even in the midst of conflict, that certainty makes us strong and makes us hold on. How not to be peaceful if we have been rescued, loved, justified! “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 NKJV). We are blessed to receive from Christ the gift of His peace, not the peace of the world which is simple, shallow and short lasting. We don’t have to fear anymore because we are not alone, Jesus Christ not only saved us and redeemed us, He also left us the perfect helper to live a life according to the faith. He left the Holy Spirit to be our guide through the journey of the good fight of faith providing us comfort, understanding, wisdom and discernment. Isn’t it another reason to have true peace?
We have a faithful Almighty God who loves us, who is our provider, who is our refuge and our helper. We know we were saved and we can have a personal relationship with God and speak to him, we know he answers our prayers. We know also, that we have a perfect map to heaven called Jesus the way. We know that by asking in the name of Jesus our petitions will be answered. The Scripture Refers to the gospels as the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). Therefore, if we have in the Word of God an extraordinary exposition of reasons to have hope, how not to have peace? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)
That peace that is hard to fathom for the human mind is precisely the one we can reach by accepting Christ as our Savior and emulating him. That peace is real, true and is built on the foundation of the certainty of our salvation and relationship with God. That peace is in the knowledge of God and of who we are in Christ, and for Christ. Let’s rest in that reality, in that certainty. I invite you to live it. SHALOM
