Though peace has such a scope to it with its many layers, it is easily recognized by all. A young boy once described peace as 'something that makes you feel all smooth inside?. Others like Thomas A. Kempis said "Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." Let's look at a brief statement made by Paul that on the surface looks like a pleasantry but underneath has a complexity of truth. Turn with me to 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18.
I. The Source of Peace Originates in the Character of God Not In Logic.
One of Christ's predictions of what would mark the end of time was the incessant cry from the world for, ?Peace, Peace!? This has come to be more than we could have ever imagined as the multiple layers of our need for peace are exposed. Our thirst for peace is global in scope, nation to nation seeking peace. It is a thirst for relational peace, person to person seeking peace. It is a thirst for inner peace, the reconciliation of mind and soul peace. It is also a thirst for spiritual peace, man to God and God to man peace, which leads ultimately to a quest for eternal peace, a place of post mortal righteousness.
Though peace has such a scope to it with its many layers, it is easily recognized by all. A young boy once described peace as 'something that makes you feel all smooth inside?. Others like Thomas A. Kempis said "Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." Let's look at a brief statement made by Paul that on the surface looks like a pleasantry but underneath has a complexity of truth. Turn with me to 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18.
I. The Source of Peace Originates in the Character of God Not In Logic.
How easy it is to think that man should just figure it out, observe the obvious and rise to a higher level of personal and national peace. Stanley Baldwin, British Prime Minister in the 1930's put it like this, ?War would end if the dead could return." It doesn't mean we should cease striving for peace, indeed, ?blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.? But there is something inherently wrong in the heart of man that prevents him from attaining this goal of peace. That ?wrong thing? is our sin nature, the propensity to desire self gain and self glory in all areas of our being. It is this very thing that defeats all the attempts of human logic to attain peace. It is why countries in
Job 5:20,21, put it like this, ?In famine He shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shall be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shall thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.? This next quote recognizes that our righteousness is again an action of God to us and this righteousness is linked to peace. Look at how it puts this:
Romans 10:3,4 says ?For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.? By faith in Christ we receive all the righteousness that the Law of God sought to instruct us in.
Isaiah 32:17, ?And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.? So we conclude that peace comes from God and that it is sourced in the righteousness of Who He is. We could further conclude that our experience of peace in every level occurs as a result of being indwelt by the righteousness of God, even possessing it as identity. Clearly the source of peace originates in the character of God, but how do we have that indwell us, how does it become part of our identity? I'm glad you asked that question, let's look deeper.
II. The Lord of Peace Himself, Continually Grants You Peace.
I guess we need to ask the obvious question, why don't we already have peace, why is it we need it from an outside source? Do you remember the first response of Adam after he and Eve sinned against God? The first responses were fear and shame. They hid themselves because of their nakedness. The common effect of sin in our lives will be to induce fear and shame which seek to be compensated for by self gain and self glory. Like Adam, we will hear the presence of God approaching and we will hide from Him. The effects of sin that we feel are fear, shame and the need to conceal; the effects of sin that God feels are rebellion, distrust and unbelief. Sin not only causes us to resist God, it sets us in a position of being enemies against God. What He values, we do not, what He desires is counter to our desires, what He has we want. These are the issues that lead countries into war and people into conflict. We find ourselves at opposition to God, meaning that we are rightfully deserving His righteous wrath. It was for this reason that Christ came, to intervene in an otherwise hopeless collision course between man's sin and God's righteousness. This would require two actions, the imputing of righteousness to man so that sin would no longer rule him and, secondly, the just sentence of death being pronounced upon sin. Jesus Christ was willing to have our sin charged to Him, He was willing to face the consequences of that action and bear the full weight of God's wrath against sin on our behalf. He was crucified, He died and the penalty for sin was atoned for. His resurrection from the dead declared to all the universe that man was freed from sin and was at peace with God through this Savior, Jesus Christ. This gift of this freedom is offered to all through faith in Christ.
But there's more, in order for mortal man to not only receive the peace agreement but also experience it, God has imparted into man? Himself, entering into his actual being by the Person of the Holy Spirit. What is the evidence that God is actually indwelling man, it's love, joy peace, patience, kindness and long suffering. Regarding the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, ?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.? The point is simply this, peace which originated in the righteousness of God has been given to us through Christ. Peace that still originates in the righteousness of God is experienced in us by the presence of God the Holy Spirit indwelling us. The Lord of Peace thereby continually grants us peace. That's the theology, but what does it look like practically?
III. In Every Circumstance He is Our Peace.
In the circumstances of inner turmoil, which could look like depression or guilt or fear or shame, treat the physiological and emotional issues, but also treat the spiritual issues. Engage the words of Philippians 4:6-8, to resist anxiety by asking God for what it is you have lost, thank Him for what He is about to do and has done and rest in that. The peace of God which passes all understanding will then guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. You take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, you set your mind on that which is honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, of excellence and praiseworthy, you dwell on these things, for they describe not only Christ but how Christ regards you in Him.
In the circumstances of interpersonal conflict, consider Romans 12:18, ?If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.? These words are preceded by the phrases, ?bless those who persecute you; rejoice and weep in the appropriate moments; don't be arrogant; don't be vengeful; respect what's right in the sight of all.? This is the call of the ?peace maker? in Christ and it too is spiritual warfare.
In the circumstances of organizational or national conflict, 'supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, for kings, and all those that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.?(1Tim. 2:1,2)
These are the blessings of Peace, they are both the thirst of the human heart and the passion of God to bestow through Christ.
Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.
www.churchoftheopenbible.ab.ca