The Peace of God

We live in the world of unrest. The events happening around us can easily bring worry and anxiety. To many people, life has given almost nothing but depression. There are many things in this world that can cause your heart to be troubled. Even in the very things in which we sometimes seek fulfillment.

However, “let not your heart be troubled”! We can still have peace in this world even in the midst of trials and persecutions. The peace of God transcends any challenge that might be present in our lives now. It is the peace that makes a person smile when everyone around expects him/her to weep. It is what makes a person remain thankful when nobody else can see a reason to be thankful. Having this peace is more than discovering priceless treasures.

Although everyone can have this peace, not every one currently has it. Many are successful and very wealthy in this life, but still lack this peace. This is because it cannot come from worldly success, accomplishments, or possessions. The purpose of this article is to share with you the source of this peace and how you can receive and begin enjoying it henceforth.

Today’s Text:

Philippians 4:6-9  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

The Source of Peace

The peace of God comes from two sources which can also been seen as one, since the second is the outcome the first. (More on this as we continue). In a nutshell, this peace comes from having peace with God, that is being fully reconciled to God; and walking in accordance with His purpose. But remember, it begins with having peace with God.

We can therefore safely come up with this equation for the peace of God: Peace with God + Living for God = The Peace of God.

Peace with God + Living for God = The Peace of God.

Reconciliation is an act of God in making the one who was once a sinner and an enemy of God a fully justified person and a child of God. This person has fully reconciled with God and now has peace with God. This has everything to do with our sins and what Christ has done to address them. Reconciliation is the result of the act of God to forgive a sinner after the sinner has trusted in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Romans 5:1-2  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

This takes away the guilt of sins and the fear of God’s condemnation. Because we have believed, rather than the guilt of sins, we have peace with God. Rather than condemnation, we’re guaranteed eternal life, and eternity with God. This is the major source of peace in this world.

Every believer in Christ who understands what it means to be forgiven a lifetime of sins, and given the guarantee of everlasting life, will see the reason to be at peace in such a chaotic world as ours. This truth is based on the sure Word of God and not upon human assumptions, therefore it is reliable!

The peace of God comes from being reconciled to God, that is, having peace with God. – Duston Moore.

The opposite are those who have rejected Christ and plan to stand before God on their own merit. (Also let’s not forget those who have denied the existence of God). They themselves know that the only basis for the position that they take is the assumption that they are good and smart people, the Bible is wrong and not to be followed.

But we know that they are wrong because we have a reliable basis for our argument – The Holy Bible. If you do not believe the Bible and take it as inspired Word of God, you’re far away from peace in the life and in that which is to come. Don’t gamble with your life, “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21.

John 14:1-3, 27  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 27 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 gospel helps us to live above all troubles and difficulties 2 Corinthians 6:10. To the believers, the sorrows of this world is nothing compared to the joy that is to come. But to the unbelievers, the sorrows of this world is nothing compared to the punishment and torments of the lake of fire. Have you made peace and reconciled with God?

For more on Peace with God and how you can have it today, please refer to the previous article Peace with God.

Peace is available to you in Christ when nowhere is peaceful – Duston Moore.

The second source of peace in this world is Christian walk. By this I mean the daily life of the Christians, their fellowship with God and the willingness to obey Him. This is a great source of peace. It is, of course, made possible by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. This is absolutely part of the results of the first point discussed above, which is Peace from Reconciliation.

Having understood the benefits of being freely justified and fully reconciled to God, the believers now see many reasons to leave their lives for the glory of God. When done properly, this adds another layer of peace to an already peaceful soul.

In order words, obeying those simple commandments from the Word of God with the right motives will make us even more at peace within ourselves. Think of the reverse scenario, which is offending or disobeying God. Those who are mindful of this will confess to the loss of inner peace that they experience every time they disobey God. Therefore, the more you disobey God and commit sins, the less peace you will experience, and vice versa.

As we will see in our text, the peace of God is partly from reconciliation with God and partly action-driven.

Total Dependence on God

Since our actions are controlled by our thoughts, the Bible not only encourages us to renew our minds, it also reveals the thoughts that we should and shouldn’t allow in our minds. For instance, we typically think straight when things are going as planned. But we will most likely lose our minds when things go out of our control. God is aware of this and has provided solution for us in His Word. In the fourth Chapter of Philippians, we are encouraged as follows:

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The phrase “Be careful for nothing” in the above passage simply means: do not worry about anything. Remember worry is the source of anxiety, fear, and depression. The sad thing about worry is that it cannot change any situation. It might even make things worse in many ways. The children of God must learn to live above worry because worry demonstrates our doubts (unbelief) in God’s ability to change our situations.

…worry is the source of anxiety, fear, and depression.

Rather than worrying, we are to be in constant communication with God over the issues in our lives and the lives of those we love. Having this assurance that we have an Heavenly Father who is always willing to listen to us is a great source of peace. We can now take our problems and needs to Him in prayer and simply let Him address them.

…The peace of God “sets a garrison around our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus,” when we refuse to be anxious about circumstances, and “in everything (even the most ‘trifling’ affairs) by prayer and supplication with thanks-giving let our requests be made known unto God.” Every ‘believer is at peace with God, because of Christ’s shed blood. Not every believer has this “peace of God” within him; for not all have consented to judge anxious care and worry as unbelief in God’s Fatherly kindness and care. – Romans: Verse by Verse (Newell)

This does not suggest however that we will always get all that we ask for, but we are guaranteed that having handed the control of our circumstances to God, we can be rest assured that we are in good hands. This assurance brings to our minds “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding”. It is truly beyond human comprehension.

The children of God must learn to live above worry because worry demonstrates our doubts (unbelief) in God’s ability to change our situations.

Total Obedience to God

In Romans 12:2, we are encouraged to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind”:

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

This means that we must allow Godly thoughts to replace fleshly desires in our minds. This of course is done by taking in as much of the Word of God as we possibly can. It is through the Word of God that we can know His will, that is, what is “good”, “perfect”, and “acceptable” to God. In our Philippians text, the Bible continues to list some of these thoughts that we must allow to occupy our minds:

Philippians 4:8-9  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

In other words, we are to focus our minds on things that are

1. just
2. pure
3. lovely
4. of good report
5. has virtue (excellence), and
6. worthy of praise.

We are to fill out minds with them. Think for a moment about the result of a person dwelling in the reverse of the items listed above. Not only will it be a disobedience to God, it will also bring lots of trouble and lack of peace.

But it does not stop at the things listed above, we are also to keep in mind all that we have learned from the Scripture, and do them (Philippians 4:9). If we allow only positive thoughts in our minds, our actions will also be positive.

Psalm 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

This ‘doing’ begins with yielding to the simple truth that we have uncovered from the Word of God, whether on our own or through the teaching or preaching of others. We must be willing to obey all that God has spoken to us in His Words. The good thing about this is that God has given His Spirit to those who have believed. The Spirit that dwells in you will help you obey the truth and do the works of righteousness.

Clearly, peace does come from obedience to God. However, none of the above activities can make you more saved or more loved by God. We are saved and will be kept saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Christian walk is the result of Christ living in us through His Spirit.

Galatians 2:20-21  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

When you permit Christ to live in you and through you, you get the peace of mind knowing that you’re yielding to God, and not living contrary to Him. If you combine this knowledge with that of the free gift of eternal life, and keep them in mind at all times, nothing in this world can interrupt your peace.

John 14:15-17  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Is your heart sometimes or always troubled? How peaceful are you in this life? How do you feel about your eternity? Many have decided to reject the Bible. Others have rejected God, especially by not believing in Jesus Christ. They are being misled by the deception of their own minds. They have crafted their own explanations contrary to the clear revelations of God in the Bible. Above all, they hope to get to God on their own merit, completely disregarding the cross of Jesus Christ.

Yet, they say that everyone will all die someday and we will all end up in the same place. In case you’re one of these people, here are questions for you: What if you’re wrong? What if the Bible is true? What if Jesus Christ is whom He says He is?

A time is coming that it will be too late to repent. Now is the perfect time to stop believing the lies of your mind and come to the light of the gospel. The door to salvation and peace with God is wide open. Come in today and be reconciled to God!

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Remember, being saved and living for God are the only source of peace, both in this life and in that which is to come. If your heart is troubled, it can be fixed! Come to Jesus today and receive the peace that He promises to those who follow Him.

John 14:27  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.

Thank you for reading!