HAVING REAL PEACE
Peace is something the world has always wanted and much effort has been put forth to obtain it. It means "a state of tranquility; freedom from disturbance; a sate of security or order; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony; concord, quiet." In this world it has been an elusive thing. There is no peace in world governments or constitutions no matter how noble or lofty they may be. Many people came to this country to settle it in hopes of finding peace in the freedoms that were offered. Yet the history of our country has been that of almost continual wars, conflicts, and disharmony. There is no peace with the Christian and the world. Jesus said "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34). He said "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." (Matthew 10:36). He knew that some would accept the gospel while others would not. Often times there are conflicts of the sincere Christian with those who are opposed to Christianity. Those who seek peace with the world often means that they compromise with evil. There is no peace in following after strong drink and drugs. Solomon well said, "Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at wine; they that go to seek mixed wine." (Proverbs 23:29, 30). Emptiness, disease, disharmony, suicide, murders, prisons, and early death are the glorification of this lifestyle.
1. There is only one source of peace. That source is Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah said that he is "the prince of peace." (Isaiah 9:6). The very nature of Christianity is that Christ came to "bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" (Isaiah 61: 1). Jesus also 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." (John 14:27). In Ephesians 2: 14-17 it is stated, "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us having abolished in flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." Christ can bring peace with ourselves, with God, and so much as possible with our fellow men.
2. God is the one with whom we should seek peace. The reason is that he created us and holds us responsible for how we live. We are separated from God by our sins (Isaiah 59:1, 2). We are going to face him in judgment and give account of our lives (Romans 14:11, 12). Therefore we should seek peace with God. Christ brought about the way to be reunited with God in his death upon the cross (Ephesians 2:16). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1).
3. The place of peace is in the one body of Christ. "That he might reconcile us to God in one body by the cross having slain the enmity thereby." How important is the church which is the body of Christ. All redeemed people are in the body because the Lord adds to the church the saved (Acts 2:47). It is very important to be a vital part of a local congregation of the church. As such we should be "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). The way to do this is to recognize and exalt the fact that "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). We must work very hard to keep unity in the local church.
This is done "with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
4. Promoting Peace. "Let us follow after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14:19). What are some of those things? "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5: 12, 13). The Lord wanted each congregation of His church to have elders to oversee the work of the church. Good elders work very hard to help each member of the church. To know them is to be aware of their dedication and works in behalf of the brethren. We are to be good citizens in the kingdom of God and the very meaning of the kingdom of God is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17).
5. The role of every Christian is to be a peacemaker. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5 :9). The gospel is the "gospel of peace" (Romans 10: 15). People who show others the gospel are presenting "glad tidings of good things." This brings people to peace with God and Christ when accepted and obeyed. We are trying to promote harmony and good will among men when we are peace makers.
6. Let Peace rule in your heart. In Colossians 3 we who are risen with Christ are to set our affections on things above. That means to put off some evil things that might be troubling our hearts and lives, and to put in their stead hearts of compassion, kindness, humbleness, meekness and longsuffering. We are to be forbearing and forgiving individuals. We are to "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15).
7. When the Lord comes we need to be found in peace. 2 Peter 3 is a chapter on the second coming of Christ. It starts with the scoffers saying, "where is the promise of his coming?" It continues with the fact that God always keeps his promises. Then it states that when the day of the Lord comes the heavens and earth will be burned up. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot, and blameless." (2 Peter 3:14). First, we want to be found in Him (Colossians 3:9). Then be found in peace in Him. Be at peace. - CD-