Peace in Troubled Times

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.—Romans 14:19

In our troubled times, peace is one of the great goals of all mankind. Everywhere man turns, he sees conflict—between nations, between races, between ethnic groups, between religions, between the young and the old, between the rich and the poor, between neighbors, between family members. Despite a multitude of peace treaties, peace conferences, legislation, governmental rules and requirements, counseling and other efforts at reconciliation, the conflicts grow more heated and more intractable. Try as he might, man cannot seem to reach the elusive goal peace. Man cries: "Peace, peace, when there is no peace."—Jeremiah 6:14

The scriptures clearly explain the reason for this lack of peace. It is a consequence of Adam’s sin and resulting condemnation to death. Our first parents lost their "peace with God" through disobedience. The penalty of death brought a fall from the perfection of heart, mind and being originally given to man, and man lost his peace with God and everything else in this planet. Now man fights against nature and against himself in a struggle to dominate his little world, even for a few short years.

God’s Plan Will Bring Peace

Against this backdrop of conflict and turmoil, the scriptures offer the hope of recovering the peace that was lost—now to the follower of Christ and in the future to the entire world of mankind. This hope of peace is a natural result of our Heavenly Father being described in the scriptures as a God of peace (Romans 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews. 13:20). The apostle Paul writes in 1Corinthians 14:33, "for God is not the author of confusion but of peace." Conflict and confusion result from man’s continuing disobedience of his creator’s laws.

The objective of God’s plan of salvation for man is to bring peace to his earthly realm. He will accomplish this, not by lowering his standards and accepting man in his current fallen state, but by reconciling man to himself. "Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd ofthe sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight."—Hebrews 13:20,21

The hope of peace is associated with "The Prince of Peace," our Lord Jesus Christ who came to earth at his first advent to pay a ransom for Father Adam (Isaiah. 9:6). Mankind has no hope of achieving peace amongst itself unless it can first be reconciled with God. And so Jesus was made flesh that he might provide the legal means whereby peace with God was possible.

Peace with God

Peace with God is the foundation of any other type of peace. Currently, the human family is described in the scriptures as children of disobedience, children of wrath, strangers and foreigners from God, without Christ, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:1–3,12). Today, mankind has no peace with God.

But with the Christian, this situation has been changed. "But now in Christ Jesus, ye who were formerly far off, are made near [to God] by the blood of the Anointed one. For he is our peace, he having made both things [Jews and Gentiles] one; and having removed the enmity [the Law], the middle wall of the partition . . . and might reconcile both [Jews and Gentiles] in one body [his own] to God, through the cross, having destroyed the enmity by it. And having come, he announced as glad tidings peace to you the far-off [Gentiles], and peace to us, the near [Jews] because, through him, we both have the introduction to the Father, with one spirit."—Ephesians 2:13–18, Diaglott

Jesus is our peace. Through our faith in the merit of his sacrifice, we have been released from Adamic condemnation and been brought into a condition of "peace with God." "Having been justified, therefore, by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom, also we have been introduced into this favor in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God."—Romans 5:1,2, Diaglott

Spiritual Peace of the Christian

Peace with God is a great blessing. It means that we are re-united with God, as a member of his family. "Now are we the children of God." (1 John 3:2, Diaglott) It means we can "come boldly unto the throne of heavenly grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Without this peace, there could be no relationship with God.

To the Christian, peace with God leads to another type of peace, which is to rule or preside over our hearts and minds—the peace of Christ. "Peace I leave to you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid." —John 14:27

Peace of Christ

This is the same peace which our Lord Jesus enjoyed during his first advent. Jesus’ peace was centered in God. It came from Jesus’ recognition of the Heavenly Father’s wonderful character—his justice, wisdom, love and power working together in full harmony to the eternal benefit of God’s entire creation. Jesus’ faith in God and his acceptance of God’s will and trust in God’s leading and protection in his life lead to this peace.

This peace endures through loss, persecution, trial and affliction, scorn and contempt. None of the problems of this world nor any man can take it from us. It is founded on "exceeding great and precious promises" of God and his willingness and faithfulness in fulfilling those promises. In reality, this peace is founded on the character of our Heavenly Father and our faith in him. "And may the God of hope fully establish you with all joys and peace in believing [in faith]; in order that you may abound in that hope, by the energy of the holy spirit."—Romans 15:13, Diaglott

The peace of Christ is needed so that we might endure the trial of our faith and overcome the three mighty foes of the Christian: the world, the flesh and the Adversary. The apostle Peter writes that we should not be surprised by the fiery trials that will test our faith (1Peter 1:6,7; 4:12,13). Such experiences are part of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. In the midst of these trials, persecutions and fiery experiences, the peace of Christ helps guard our spiritual minds against discouragement, of giving up and losing our focus on the Lord and doing his will.

What is the Peace of Christ

The peace of Christ is to be developed as a part of our Christian character and is listed by the apostle Paul as one of the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22,23) It is the tranquility of heart and mind that enables us to leave all decisions and the outcome of all trials in the Lord’s hand. With it guarding our heart, we are anxious about nothing but make our petitions and requests known unto God by prayer and supplication. (Philippians 4:6) It is not a peace of idleness, but a peace that comes from taking all matters to the throne of heavenly grace and leaving them there.

The apostle Peter demonstrated this peace when he was taken into prison by Herod shortly after the death of James. Peter’s trust and reliance on the Lord were so strong, he could sleep soundly while chained between two soldiers on the night before his trial and possible death (Acts 12:2–6). Paul and Silas exhibited the same kind of peace when they were cast into prison at Philippi. After being beaten with many stripes and put into stocks, they prayed and sang praises unto God at midnight, confident that God would work out all things to their eternal welfare (Acts 16:23–25).

Peace Means Accepting the Lord’s Way

Possessing peace means we readily and joyfully accept the Lord’s will in our lives, even though it may be different from our own. If the peace of Christ is abiding in our hearts, then our response will be "not as I will but as thou wilt," when God’s will is not what our flesh wants (Matthew 26:39). The apostle Paul revealed that the peace of Christ was ruling in his heart when our Lord would not heal his thorn in the flesh. The "thorn" may have been Paul’s poor eyesight, damaged by seeing the risen Lord on the way to Damascus. Though the thorn, whatever it may have been, hampered the apostle’s life and ministry in many ways, peace in his heart helped him to respond: "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."—2 Corinthians 12:9

Peace Means No Fear of Our Foes

With the peace of Christ, we will not fear our foes no matter who they are. "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6) David’s heart was ruled by the peace of God when, as a young boy, he faced Goliath in battle. David’s peace was so complete, his response to Goliath was: "Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, who thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand . . . that all the earth may know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hands."—1 Samuel 17:45–47

The foes we face in the Christian warfare are stronger and more difficult to defeat than Goliath. Yet in our struggle to overcome, the battle is the Lord’s. If the peace of Christ is ruling in our heart, we will leave the battle to the Lord and let him deliver victory into our hands.

Peace Rules Over Our Hearts

The apostle Paul exhorts us to "Let the peace of the anointed preside in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15). Peace is to rule or govern our hearts, our thoughts, our affections and ourway of life. In the next verse, Paul tells us how to accomplish this. "Let the word of the anointed dwell in you richly; teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom; in Psalms; in hymns, in spiritual songs singing with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Diaglott). This peace is based on the character and promises of God. The best way to strengthen our understanding of God’s character and his promises and increase our faith in them, is to have them dwell or live in our hearts and minds—richly, abundantly, copiously.

We should study them day by day—over and over again—for they remind us that "the battle is the Lord’s" and he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. For us to have the peace that Peter, Paul and David had, we must remember and keep our mental focus on God and his promises.

Called to be Peacemakers

The peace within our hearts must be expressed outwardly to others. "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). While the Christ (head and body) will be peacemakers in the ultimate sense in Christ’s kingdom, bringing mankind back in peace and harmony with God, we must be peacemakers now both among our fellowship and toward all men. "Let us therefore follow after things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14:19) We must "have peace one with another" and "cultivate peace among yourselves." (Mark 9:50; 1 Thessalonians 5:13)

Peace is an especially important characteristic within the body of Christ. Paul advises that we should "use diligence to preserve the unity of the spirit by the uniting bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3, Diaglott) It is peace with God that identifies us as members of the body of Christ. The character aspect of peace enables the members of an ecclesia collectively to focus their hearts and minds on the Lord and the truth, enabling the unity of the spirit to grow. As members of the ecclesia under the influence of peace, we build up one another by "speaking the Truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).

We are to "pursue peace with all" (Hebrews 12:14, Diaglott). "If possible on your part, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18, Diaglott). Our words and actions should promote peace—following the principles of truth and righteousness in a loving way, with a sympathetic love for the groaning creation. "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse . . . Do not repay anyone evil for evil . . . If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."—Romans 12:14,17,18, NIV

Peace is one of the beautiful features of God’s plan of salvation and it is one of the beautiful characteristics of the divine character, which we are expected to copy. How thankful we are that God has called us to peace in advance of the world and given to us Christ’s peace that our hearts might not be troubled and afraid. Let us continue to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and guard them until the trial of our faith is over. It is the only way to be successful in the Christian journey.