Pursuit of Peace part 1 (Reprint)

This is the first of 3 parts. There is a Bible Study which goes with each post. Be sure to send your questions to PastorMac!

In this series we will look at the basic concepts of Biblical peace on three levels. First God and peace, second at peace with ourselves, and third being at peace with those around us.

So let’s begin with God and peace- both how does God relate to the idea of peace and how do we reach peace with God.

Ken Sande, in his book “the Peace Maker”, puts it this way “Nothing reveals God’s concern for peace more vividly than His decision to send His beloved Son to “guide our feet into the path of Peace” (Luke 1:79, Isa 2:4)” In a number of New Testament passages the writers title God “the God of Peace” (look at Romans 15:33, Phil 4:9, and Heb. 13:20 for examples). We are instructed to seek out peace (From O.T. Ps 34:14, and Jer. 29:7 to the N.T. Rom 14:19; 1 Cor. 13:11; Col 3:15; 1 Thess. 5:13) and many more. God places such an emphasis on our seeking peace that He even promises to bless those who do! (See Ps. 37:37; Prov. 12:20; Matt.5:9; and James 3:18 for examples) God even instructs us to use the word peace in how we greet others around us from the ancient book of Judges (chapter 6) we see the Hebrew word “shalom” to the Gospel of Luke were we find the Greek word “Eirene” used in greeting. You will also find a prayer that includes asking for peace in most of Paul’s epistles.

So you can see that God has placed a large emphasis on bringing peace to His children. But how do we find it? First, it does not come automatically. Each and every one of us is a hot mess of sin and failure. Both historically, we inherited it by being born, and in fact during our life. (See Isa. 59: 1-2 and Rom. 3:23 for the biblical view on this) Fortunately there is Good News- John 3:16 says “God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for us to have a relationship with God, and that sacrifice grants us the opportunity to find peace with God. Paul presents this idea in Colossians 1 that Christ reconciled all things to Himself, bringing peace through His blood shed on the cross. In Romans, Paul puts it this way- “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God” (see Romans 5:1-2)

I would like to close with one point about this idea of peace with God, and an invitation: The point- this idea of peace through Christ is not a casual “oh I was baptized and go to church so I am good” level of relationship. It means that you actually understand and believe that you are a sinful mess who has no hope of getting to heaven or even having a relationship with God without the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. It also means humbling yourself to the point that you have realized that this is a never ending, day after day, need for Jesus to be present in your life restoring you, changing you, and Discipling you to get you into a deeper relationship with God. If you have never committed to this level of relationship I urge you to pray right now for Jesus to come into your life and begin the process of changing you into a person who is seeking God’s heart and for His Holy Spirit to begin to fill you with the Peace that passes all understanding.