The Promise of Peace

Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7,9; Colossians 3:15-17

Here in these three brief "texts" are some words about "peace." Peace is part of the legacy left us by Jesus; it is the Christian's right: Jesus said: "My peace I leave you!"

Peace is part of the definition of the kingdom of God extended to us: (Romans 14:17) "The kingdom of God is NOT meat and drink, but righteousness and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Ghost."

"Peace" is one of the most attractive ideas in the world. But talking about peace and experiencing peace are two different things. It is good to know that I am supposed to have peace. It is good to understand that peace is in the definition of the Kingdom: But how does that help ME when the storms of life are raging?

Jesus said: "Blessed are the peace-makers!" But am I supposed to be an agent for peace in this world when I don't have real peace in my own heart? [The prophets warned about those who would cry, "Peace, peace" when there was no peace.]

HOW may I start to be a peace-maker? HOW may I experience God's peace?

I. To BEGIN with peace: We can and must find peace with God

(Romans 5:1,2). Not "telling God" what HE needs to do, but confessing sin, and pleading the saving, cleansing blood of Jesus!

What IS "Peace WITH God?" An end of hostility; a sense of acceptance; access by faith into all God's grace. not a bad thing! A wonderful thing, actually!

But peace with God is NOT the end! It is only a good beginning!

II. Then, we can CONTINUE toward peace: the peace OF God

(Phil. 4:7) We find this peace by learning to think like God!

(Well, actually we cannot "think LIKE God thinks...His ways are far, far above ours. But) This is a beginning of a new perspective, believing that God sees, God knows, and God is in control! This is FAITH as a total way of life. A deliberate choice of attitude. NOT an automatic or simple thing. NOT accomplished without determination and struggle. NOT a guarantee that there will not be emotional turbulence. But there is a clear formula here:

  1. Do not be anxious (fret not)
  2. Make God a partner in all of life! (In everything with thanksgiving—let God know where you stand!)
  3. Deliberately dwell on the good and holy

Only God knows the damage and danger of grumbling/complaining/whining: an entire generation of Israelites died in the desert because they GRUMBLED!

III. But the END or GOAL of all this is GOD!

Our goal in life is—the God of peace! (4:9)

"Peace" is not just a technique we learn, or a wonderful emotion— the best thing about it is being near to God Himself!

"When we look back on what the masters of the spiritual life have written and said, its hard to escape the conclusion that we have been the victim of a confidence trick in our century. Over the past few decades, the evangelical church has been gripped by a series of issues and concerns that have primarily been marginal, or at best of secondary importance. Conferences, seminars, and books on a whole series of "vital concerns" have dominated center stage and determined the agenda in many churches and for many individual Christians. But strikingly absent has been concentration on God Himself. Indeed, on the rare occasions when this absence has not been the case, we have sat up to take notice as though something out of the ordinary were being said!"—Sinclair B. Ferguson, in A Heart for God, quoted from CT, January 15, 1988.

The peace of God is not a lesson to learn; the peace of God is a "spin-off" from friendship with God Himself! Here's the essential connection!

Yes, until we die we must "walk by faith!" Yes, there will be times when our emotions and our human judgment will fail to give us the assurance that we need. But if we have PEACE WITH GOD, and if we are actively pursuing THE PEACE OF GOD, then the GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU!

But remember, the pathway of peace does NOT lie along the line of asking questions, assigning blame, finding fault with God! NO, the pathway of peace is PUSHING UP CLOSE TO THIS GOD WHO WANTS TO BE NEAR US!

Conclusion:

Our faith grows, develops! We learn new questions to ask as we grow older. We are staggered at times by the failures of others we trust.

YOU CAN TRUST JESUS! He is the same person you prayed to as a child! He is the same person you gave yourself to when you first heard about heaven and hell and sin and salvation. He really did die for you—and rose again for you—and is seated at the right hand of the Father just now praying for you! This Jesus wants you to have HIS peace!

In the other passage about "peace", Colossians 3, is one of those convenient "lists" that will help you "keep the peace." It is a three-fold or three-part "handle" on living in God's peace, and it all related to JESUS: Paul says:

  1. LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE! (Col. 3:15) In the everyday living out of your life, let your PEACE be the referee!

    Whatever disturbs your peace, immediately stop and find a place to pray about it. God isn't troubling you to damn you; He is trying to strengthen His peace:

    • when you are tempted to "cut corners" in honesty
    • when the TV becomes blatantly VIOLENT or LUSTFUL (What business do God's people have watching people shoot other people for fun?)
    • when you are using your body, or your relation with the opposite sex, for thrills! That is NOT love—it is SIN! The THRILL isn't wrong—it is SEX OUT OF COVENANT!

    When we find our peace disturbed—we need to quickly heed! LET GOD'S PEACE RULE!

  2. AND LET THE WORD OF GOD DWELL RICHLY! (Col. 3:16) DWELL!

    Nobody— no one in the world! can find God's peace apart from God's WORD! The WORD is the Source and Resource of our strength...it is our FOOD! The Word is our living supply!

    That is why Bible PREACHING is important! That is why BIBLE STUDY is important! That is why we need to read by ourselves, and together—and this includes SOCIAL WORSHIP: (Col. 3:16) - teaching and admonishing one another—with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness to the Lord.

    LET GOD'S WORD DWELL!

  3. AND LET CHRIST'S NAME AUTHORIZE ALL YOU DO! (Col. 3:17)

    The authority must come from HIM! This doesn't mean you can simply "write a check" for anything you might think you want.

    But it does mean that whatever God commands, He makes possible!

    It does mean that where He sends, He opens the doors!

    It does mean that if you want PEACE, His authority says that you can have it!

#416- Hidden Peace