The story is told of an art student who was asked to paint, for his exam, an oil painting of peace. His professor left him to it, but after a while, decided to check in with the student, who should soon be nearing the finishing mark.
The professor was shocked by what he saw. The painting was largely about war, death, stormy weather, and poverty. But in the middle was a tree and on one of its branches, was a little bird, happily singing.
The professor was confused and asked the student to explain. He explained that the bird was at peace in his surroundings, despite the chaos around his surroundings. The reality is two-fold in that while peace in Christ is possible, the world in which we live is not at peace with itself. We can be like that little bird peacefully singing God’s praises despite the craziness around us.
Let’s turn to Scripture.
Scriptures (NIV)
Luke 2:14, “‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
John 14:27, “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.”
Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Isaiah 9:6-7, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”
Introduction
From Luke 2, we learn that peace is promised to those who God favours. From John 14 we learn that Jesus’ peace is for believers. This is confirmed in Philippians 4. From Isaiah, we learn that Jesus will one day return, and peace will be widespread and everlasting. From John 16 we learn that Jesus’ peace is a present reality in the lives of believers despite the consequences of living in a hostile world.
Biblical peace differs from peace in the world. In the world, peace can refer to the absence of conflict; it subtracts. Biblical peace refers to the presence of Jesus, despite what is happening in our lives and in the world; it therefore, enriches, comforts, and empowers.
Indeed, the Hebrew word for “peace,” shalom, means calm, peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity and tranquillity of individuals and groups. I don’t see how shalom can be realized without God’s enabling.
Body
So where does this leave us in terms of finding and experiencing peace? Briefly exploring three aspects of peace will guide us into biblical shalom:
Peace with God
The first is peace with God. This is a sovereign work of God. He first chose you. He first loved you. He accepts you. He gave His life for you. We need to clearly understand this, if it were me choosing Him, me accepting Him, me loving Him and me giving my life for Him, I would have it the wrong way around. I need God, and He reconciled me to Him. There is nothing in/about me and nothing I can do to cause God to accept, love and choose me. I am the one with sin; He is holy and sinless.
Peace with God comes through Him forgiving me; Him paying the consequence of my sin through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. This is a gift. It is His mercy, grace, and love in action. I cannot earn it, but I can believe, confess, and accept that He did it.
Another aspect of peace with God is when we follow Him and live His will for our life. You may find along the journey of progressive sanctification that there are things that the Holy Spirit brings to mind; things that need to be done or happen differently. Peace follows obedience.
Peace with Others
Many “how-to” books have been written about harmonious relationships. That so many books have been written speaks to both a reality and a need. And with good reason.
Anger, jealousy, bitterness and so forth, when unresolved and inappropriately expressed, are destructive forces within individuals and communities. Hebrews 12:15-16 reads, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Are you a “peace-maker” or a “peace-hoper?” Take a moment to reflect on what I am asking you? And as you reflect, reflect on your attitudes, conversation, commitment, and actions.
Then picture yourself stepping forward with the results of your reflection toward the Lord’s Supper. Let’s start with 1 Corinthians 11:19, “No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.” How would you know upon whom God’s approval rests? I will give you clue…it’s all about obediently following Jesus. At the other side of the discussion is the love of power, popularity, disrespect, questionable doctrine (i.e., teachings) and people pursuing their passions – such as a love of money, lust, vanity and so forth.
Now examine yourself once again in light of 1 Corinthians 11:28, “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”
If we want to sit at the Lord’s Table, we need to do it to His honour and glory. That means a clean conscience before God, which asks of us to be reconciled to Him as well as our neighbour.
Peace with Self
We are a society of discontentment Many advertisements, for example, aim to make you discontent with what you have in life and if you buy their product, you will be content. Contentment, in this context, means that you will experience joy and happiness.
What if peace and contentment relate to what you already have?
As long as the world influences your contentment your peace will relate to things as opposed to belief in God, identity, values, and ethics.
World-influenced peace and contentment are temporary, easy to influence, and dependent on vanity, and searching. Godly peace and contentment are lasting, grateful, meaningful, and purposeful.
World-driven peace and contentment are driven by what you don’t have. Godly peace and contentment are driven by Who you have: God.
World-driven peace and contentment say “if…then.” The problem here is that peace and contentment rely on an external locus of control; meaning outside inward. The Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit and finds peace and contentment from within.
So, what is occupying your thoughts and mind and causing discontentment? Paul says we are to focus on the things which are noble, right just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. The battle for peace is lost or won in our minds. If you want to experience peace focus on Jesus over and above yourself.
Conclusion
To bring it together, here are some principles for establishing peace in our lives.
- First, are you a born-again Christian? Romans 10:9-10 reads, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
- Second, focus on what binds us as believers together. If we are to “agree in the Lord,” we must focus on that which unites us together and that is our faith in Jesus Christ and the grace we have all received in Him. We are also reminded of our common mission together. Paul reminded the church at Philippi of all the work they had done together in the past and that they had faithfully served their Lord and their church to bring other people to faith, to minister to those in need and to build the kingdom of God. They had worked side by side for the same purpose.
- Third, remember, we are all children of God and absolutely nothing we/they say or do can change that. We are all recipients of grace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
- Fourth, seek and receive the help of others. Paul asked the other believers in the church to intervene and help resolve conflict. But that also means we must be willing to accept the help of others.
Peaceful does not mean “easy.” Jesus never promised easy; He only promised help. In fact, He told us to expect tribulations and trials. But He also said that, if we called on Him, He would give us the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.” No matter what hardships we are faced with, we can ask for a peace that comes from the powerful love of God that is not dependent on our own strength or the situation around us.
Amen.