Are you at peace? Peace is the hallmark of a heart that is surrendered to and protected by the Prince of Peace, Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6 – For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
What is peace?
The Old Testament word is šālôm (shalom!) and means “completeness, soundness.” In the Bible, it describes welfare, prosperity, health, and peace. In the context of relationship, it refers to peace and friendship between humans, and the covenant relationship between God and man that Jesus came to restore.
The New Testament word is eirēnē, and describes three important aspects of peace.
First is the peace of God needed for salvation. Adam and Eve’s sin broke fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden and made all their descendants unholy and separated from the Creator. Throughout the Old Testament (before Jesus came), God gave men the Law to follow so that He could pass over their sins until such time as atonement was made, for “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23). This Law created enmity, or hostility between us and God, for we were never able to keep it perfectly.
Jesus came to give us the peace of salvation. He broke down that barrier, and by His own blood took our sins to the cross, fulfilled the Law perfectly, and made payment in full for the sins of the world.
Ephesians 2:14-18 – For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both into one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
1 John 2:1-2 – My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
Now, in Christ, we are at peace with God.
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
The second aspect of peace is enjoyed and experienced in our daily walk as followers of Jesus. It is the peace of God that rules in our hearts because the God of peace indwells us.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This peace is described as “the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.”1
We access this peace in two ways. We pray (as we see in the scripture above), and we turn our thoughts and actions toward what pleases and obeys God.
Philippians 4:8-9 – Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
The follower of Jesus who is distracted by the things of this world, or disobedient to God’s commands will not experience the peace of God that is our inheritance and birthright as God’s child. Of course, there will be times when we are walking faithfully with God, and our enemy, Satan, tries to disturb our peace, but the solution is the same: turning our eyes toward Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-3 – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Jesus warned His disciples that the trials of life and attacks of the enemy would come, so He reminded them, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The last aspect of peace is, in fact, the peace we will have at last!
Isaiah 9:6 prophesied that the Prince of Peace would come, but we can’t stop there. Look at the next verse!
Isaiah 9:7 – There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
One day, Jesus, our Prince of Peace, will return. He will put an end to the enemy’s wicked schemes and set all things right. We will dwell in peace with our Savior and Lord, first for a thousand years on this earth, and then for eternity in the presence of God forever. We will truly, finally, be at peace.
Do you have peace today, or are you filled with anxious thoughts and unnamed fears? Only Jesus can give you this gift – the gift of peace.
Isaiah 26:3 – The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.
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The Way Of The Word 