Peace
Inner peace through trust in Christ
Overview
Peace is a gift that Jesus promised to His followers, a deep and abiding calm that transcends outward circumstances. Biblical peace has two dimensions: peace with God through justification by faith, and the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds. In a world filled with conflict, uncertainty, and fear, the peace that Christ gives is a supernatural gift that the world cannot give and cannot take away. It is both a present reality and a future promise for every believer.
Key Verse
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
John 14:27
Peace with God
The most fundamental kind of peace is peace with God, which comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul writes, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Before salvation, every person is at enmity with God because of sin. The cross of Christ removes that enmity, reconciling us to God and ending the hostility that sin created. This peace is objective and permanent; it does not fluctuate with our feelings. Once justified, we are forever at peace with our Creator.
The Peace of God
Beyond peace with God, believers are promised the peace of God: an inner tranquility that guards the heart and mind. Paul writes, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). This peace is experienced when we bring our anxieties to God in prayer with thanksgiving. It is a peace that defies logic, remaining steady even in the most distressing circumstances. This is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God in the midst of trouble.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus fulfilled this title perfectly. On the night before His crucifixion, He told His disciples, "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" (John 14:27). The peace Jesus gives is fundamentally different from the world's version of peace. The world offers temporary relief based on favorable circumstances; Jesus offers eternal peace based on His unchanging presence and promises.
Being Peacemakers
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Believers are called not only to experience peace but to actively promote it. Paul urges, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). Being a peacemaker means pursuing reconciliation, speaking truth with love, and seeking harmony in our relationships. It requires humility, patience, and a willingness to absorb offense rather than escalate conflict, following the example of Christ Himself.