by Alan Langstaff

One of the ways to study the Bible is to study particular “words.” For example, it can be very profitable to look at verses that refer to “love.” There are, of course, many verses written, such as John 3:16 or 1 Corinthians chapter 13. 

Peace is another word worth studying. I want to share a few thoughts on peace. It was not meant to be an exhaustive study about peace, but simply some thoughts that have struck me about peace.

Now, obviously, there are many references to peace, such as the peace that comes at the end of a war. I want to share four thoughts about peace that particularly relate to individuals

Before we look at those four aspects of peace, we must remember that ultimately peace is a gift of God.

In the Old Testament, we have verses like Psalm 29:11 (NIV) “The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses his people with peace.” In the New Testament, we find verses like 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT) “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.”

Through it all, we know it comes from Christ, who said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 – NIV)

Notice, Jesus says it is my peace. In other words, it is out of the peace that He possesses that He gives peace.

So, remember peace is ultimately a gift from God. Let’s be honest, most of us need that peace as we are living in a world where we experience trouble, stress, anxiety, and even fear. All of us need it – peace. (See John 16:33)

Now there are different kinds of peace. Let’s look at four of them.

1) PEACE WITH GOD

In Romans, Paul sets out the basis of salvation. It is by grace through faith, and in Romans 5:1, he declares, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

Thus, we can have peace with God.

Through Christ’s death for us on Calvary’s cross, we have the promise of peace with God. We are no longer separated from God, and because of sin, we were at odds with God. All that has been washed away, and now we have peace with God. Other verses tell the same story. 

2) PEACE OF GOD

Having been justified by grace through faith, we have peace with God, which in turn gives us a second kind of peace – it is the peace of God.

As mentioned before, this is the peace of God that He promises to his followers. The promise of John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” The peace of God.

Thus, when we are faced with troubling situations, we can claim the gift of peace He promises that even in the midst of trouble, we can have His peace.

3) PEACE WITH OTHERS

Having received peace with God and in turn discovered the peace of God. We are to pass on that peace to others. Christianity is not only about our relationship with God; it doesn’t stop there, but it is intended to go out to others, too.

Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount declares, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NKJV) Also in Romans 12:18 we are called to “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (See also 2 Corinthians 13:11). Now that applies in all situations of life… in family, in marriage, in our work place, in our neighborhood, and in particular in our church. Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). 

We might also mention that, as far as I know, there is nothing in the Bible calling us to be at peace with the World. Indeed, the World is part of the trio that includes the flesh and the devil that continually comes against believers. 

4) PERFECT PEACE

There is a particular verse that has spoken to me concerning peace, it is Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

To me, this speaks of a believer who has come to a place in life where his or her life is characterized by that perfect peace. It is more than the peace offered for a particular situation; it is living in a life of perfect peace all the time (as Jesus did when He was here on earth). 

The reason being His mind is slayed on God, it is steadfast, he or she trusts in God, even when they don’t always understand what is happening or why it is happening. That’s the perfect peace that God wants to bring us into.

A STORY

Let me finish with a story.

Years ago, a particular king decided to have a competition for people to paint the perfect picture of peace. Because there was a significant prize for the best picture, many artists submitted their pictures.

When the king received them, he had them displayed for all to see while he considered which was the perfect picture of peace.

There were many beautiful pictures. Some were pictures of nature with soft pictures of rolling hills, or beautiful countryside, or tranquil lakes or rivers. All of them conveyed the concept of peace that is seen in the natural world. There was one painting that seemed out of place. It was the picture of a storm breaking over a cliff with dark clouds and lightning strikes, and it looked anything but peaceful.

The time came for the king to make the choice, and to everyone’s surprise, he chose the last picture of the storm.

He pointed out what many didn’t see that on the cliff in the middle of the storm, there was a cleft in the rock, and in the cleft there was a bird’s nest, with an egg in it, and on the egg sat a mother bird seeking to hatch her baby bird.

As the king noted, peace is not simply the absence of conflict or difficult circumstances. It is the presence of a “peace” in the midst of the storm. The storm may roar without, but in the midst there can be peace – perfect peace.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Have you that kind of peace, even in the midst of the storm? If not, why not ask the Lord for the peace that surpasses understanding, the peace that is a gift of God, a peace that comes from trusting the Lord in the midst of it all. Be assured. He will give it.