Posts: Peace

Peace

In Hebrew culture, shalom (peace) was the traditional salutation and blessing. Twice Jesus is recorded as ending a conversation with, “Go in peace” (Mark 5:34, Luke 7:50), of course translated into Greek for publication. The Messiah was to be the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and usher in a Covenant of Peace (Isaiah 54:10). Shalom was bigger than just an absence of strife or the opposite of war. Included were peace with other people, with God, and with oneself. The church should demonstrate to an obstructionist world the defeat of stress, anxiety, and conflict.

“[If] one of you says to [a brother or sister], ‘Depart in peace; be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” (James 2:16) When believers gather, quality interpersonal time is essential. We need to know each other’s needs so we can satisfy them. Platitudes and plastic performances do not bring peace. Further, if no one in the congregation has physical needs, a major proof of the gospel disappears: “And the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5, Isaiah 61:1)

Angels promised the peace of God in announcing the Messiah (Luke 2:14), although Jesus did not promise peace for all (Matthew 10:34), but for the faithful (John 14:27, John 16:33, Ephesians 6:15), not political peace but peace between individuals and ethnic groups in the church (Ephesians 2:14). The times when the faithful gather must be characterized as miraculously stress-relieving to have any claim to being the people of God. The world is broken and spiraling downhill fast; assembling with the faithful is essential respite care. Peace heals.

The Father is called the God of peace (Hebrews 13:20). Melchizedek, a symbol of the Christ, is called the king of peace (Hebrews 7:2). The coming of the Messiah portended peace in heaven (Luke 19:38), which finally happened when Jesus went home. The subsequent war resulted in a temporary exile of Satan and his angels to earth (Revelation 12:5 – 12), followed shortly by their imprisonment until Judgment (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6). The world offers only confusion and conflict; the church should personify peace, now and forever.

“For in Him He was pleased for all the fullness to dwell, and through Him to reconcile all things into Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:19 – 20) The once-for-all redemption paid by Jesus brought peace. Yet, those outside the kingdom of God are characterized several times as warring against God and the faithful. Rejoice in the peace; don’t be distracted by the background noise.

“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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6 – 7) Peace of mind and heart promotes clear decisions; anxiety does the opposite. But chaos-inducing stress is a closed loop. So, God promises a means of escape through thanks and requests. Counting your blessings is not a positive-thinking exercise, but a gateway to a miracle.

“Above the cares of this life are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) “Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) People, individuals and groups, become at odds with one another. Resentment, even hatred, builds which far outlasts the original conflict. The key to diplomatic negotiation, says the New Testament, is a gracious nature, promised, grown, and nurtured by the Spirit who dwells in the faithful. Such an ambassador unites people, rather than marking armed borders.

“God is not of disorder but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) The con-man’s manta, “In confusion there is profit.” This world is chaotic, so most people are stressed and easy pickings for the opportunist. God promises a way of life, a mindset, a logical foundation that overcomes the messiness and produces peace in the midst of frenzy. The catch is that we must trust that He can before He does it. And when He does, others will marvel that you can handle life so well.

“…to shine upon those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79) Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, ended his poetic prediction about his son with these parallel statements. So, peace is the opposite of darkness and the shadow of death. Darkness in the New Testament is not so much evil as confusion and hopelessness. Desperation and lack of coherent direction lead to bad choices. God offers peace that lights up the path of meaningful life.

“The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) Paul’s contrast is with the mind set on the things of this world, which turns one inward, away from God, characterized as death. Rather, the faithful think as spirits, which turns them outward, toward God. This world is full of frustration and disappointment. Those who think as spirits focus on the character of God and the connectedness of like spirits, which brings peace. Kindred spirits foster real life.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, into an abundance, in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) God gives the Spirit to the faithful, which in turn fills the faithful with joy and peace. Joy is the product of observing the success of faith, either one’s own or that of another. Peace is the product of confident expectation (hope). Certainly, bad things happen to faithful people, too. But their God-given ability to overcome results in a life characterized by a positive assurance that all is well.

“The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteous and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) When the faithful assemble, the focus is on doing the right thing; being comfortable with ourselves, with God, and with one another; and experiencing the exuberance derived from the successes of faith, either mine or those of someone else. Discord in the church is caused by issues which seem important at the time, but in comparison to brotherly kindness, loyalty, and selfless concern, are not.

“But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or sister is not under bondage in such. Rather, God has called you to peace.” (1 Corinthians 7:15). Paul addressed a marriage in which only one partner was a believer. In the context, the believer’s focus must be to represent the gospel in the best way. But sometimes, the unbeliever walks away. The faithful cannot control others; neither should the faithful be manipulated by unbelievers. The overriding principle is peace. Whether the unbeliever stays or goes, God can work with this.

“The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:18) The evils of this world easily incite anger. But the faithful must not be manipulated and thereby controlled. Instead, the faithful yield a crop of honor, selflessness, generosity, and impartiality. These peacemakers never retreat, but introduce a reputation for reasonableness because God can handle even this. Leave revenge to the professionals.