Incomparable Peace
Introduction: The peace, or tranquility of heart and mind, that is given to each believer by the LORD God is unequaled by anything a person can ever have apart from God; and in fact it cannot even be fully understood. It is available only through God’s grace gift of salvation to eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus as he is revealed in the Bible. The believer is then sealed by The Holy Spirit to have the absolute and unchangeable promise of everlasting peace from God.
NOTE: All scripture is from the World English Bible.
A — The LORD Gives Peace That Is Past Human Understanding
Isaiah 9 “6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end… to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever.”
John 14 “26 But the counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.”
Philippians 4 “6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
Comments: Many centuries ahead, the LORD God promised the birth of a child who would be given as the very Son of God. He alone is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government of peace will never end, as he rules from the promised throne of David to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness forever. The Holy Spirit sent by the Father in the name of Jesus will teach believers all things and remind them of all that Jesus said. Don’t compare God’s everlasting peace to the wavering and temporary peace that depends on favorable situations around you. When anything begins to bring anxiety, that is the time to make request to God by prayer and petition with thanksgiving.
B — Grace, Mercy and Peace All Come from Faith in the LORD
Romans 1 “7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 13 “20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Comments: Paul regularly spoke of peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in the opening of his letters. What a blessing to be called of God by his grace to be among the saints of God who forever have the grace, mercy, and peace of the LORD God. The New Testament letters to believers assure that the peace from God is far superior to any measure of peace that could be gained only through personal effort. Believers should remember the mercy and grace from God which motivates them to do good works well pleasing in his sight according to his will, through Jesus Christ. All the glory for our changed lives should be genuinely directed to the Lord for ever and ever.
C — Seek Peace with Others to Serve the God of Peace
Colossians 3 “12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Comments: Psalms and Proverbs often supply very condensed sayings applicable to believers in any age, and the value of earnestly seeking peace is among such passages. New Testament passages remind believers that they have been chosen by God, and therefore should have heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, and patience toward others. If it is necessary to forgive another, remember to be like Christ who has forgiven you in love. Be thankful as you let the peace from God rule in your heart. Do as much as you can to be at peace with all other people, and especially let God’s wrath take precedence over your own wrath.
D — Turn Your Thoughts to Everlasting Peace in Heaven
Colossians 3 “1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, and then you will also be revealed with him in glory.”
Romans 8 “38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Comments: Each Christian is in a process of transformation to cultivate a predominant desire for things that are important in heaven, not the temporal values presently on earth. The eternal life of a believer is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ returns, believers will be with him in glory. Meanwhile, if we live in peace, comforted by God as we rejoice together, the God of love and peace will be with us. The scripture has promised that nothing of any description or power can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We should look to the God of hope to fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may have an abundance of that sure hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflections in Prayer
Thank you my LORD and my God for peace in my heart, mind, and soul that you have given to me as a grace gift of your great love. There were many years in my life that I could not even imagine the difference you could make in my life if I would come to the point of surrender of my own desires and goals. I now know the mysterious and wonderful salvation of my soul since I asked in faith for Christ to take control of my life. Help me, Lord, to be more diligent and effective in seeking peace with all other people that I might serve you, the God of peace. Lord, when I begin to drift away from your Kingdom with a lust for the temporal offerings of the present world, draw me back to you by your love and mercy. All glory and praise to my Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen.
Published 31 July 2017