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 WHAT IS PEACE?
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 1 in a Series - What
is Peace?
Merriam-Webster offers
the following definition of peace:
A
state of tranquility or quiet
Freedom from civil disturbance
Freedom
from disquieting or oppressive thoughts and emotions
From these definitions we
see that peace is a state of mind in which our thoughts and emotions
are at ease. Also it means being free from disturbances. The second
part of this is what I find interesting and the one we will spend the
most time on.
To be free from
disturbances would seem to imply the ability to have control of events
that occur in our life in order to have this freedom from
disturbances. However, what we all know is that we have little control
over things that happen in our lives. We can control the choices we
make but we have little power over things that others may due and
events that may occur such as stock market crashes, natural disasters,
job layoffs, etc… The question becomes how someone can be free of
disturbances when we are not in complete control of events that have
an impact on us. One thing is for certain and that is most desire to
have peace. Most desire to be in a state calm and tranquility and most
desire to be free from disturbances. The main point to remember here
is that this type of peace the world cannot give but it is something
that comes from above a gift that is given by Jesus Christ.
Part 2 in Series - What
Is Peace?
In our next series of messages we will look at different passages
in the bible that talk about peace. We will pull important points
about peace and how it fits in our daily lives. The first
scripture on peace we want to look at is found in the Book of
Isaiah 26th chapter and the 3rd verse.
It reads, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee”.
Looking closely at this verse we first see that the blessing of
peace is based on condition. In other words, the Lord will do
something if we do something which in this case peace is given it
we keep our mind focused on God and we also trust in him.
What does it mean to keep our mind stayed on God? This is where we
can reference scripture for help. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in
the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths”.
Also Proverbs 16:3 says, Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy
thoughts shall be established. These two supporting scriptures
tell us that keeping our mind on the Lord means keeping Him at the
forefront of our decision making, seeking Him for guidance, and
having His will for us in mind. When we are able to do these
things then He will not only keep us in peace but the scripture
says, “Perfect peace” meaning peace in mind, in heart, external,
and internal peace. As life challenges us daily He will keep us at
peace knowing that God can do anything in any situation and also
this is due to the fact that we trust Him.
We tend to have confidence in those things we trust. What a peace
it must be to have full confidence in the All mighty God. We need
to trust Him to keep us in peace and to trust Him in that He is
able to help us keep our minds on Him. This brings up the final
point from this lesson. We are not able within yourselves to keep
God on our thoughts it is the Holy Spirit whom we receive by God’s
gift of salvation through Jesus Christ that enables us to
accomplish this feet (John 14:26). So for this lesson we must
remember peace comes from putting our full trust in the Lord.
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Part 3 in a Series - What is Peace?
Isaiah 53:5
Here we
want to look at another scripture that talks about peace. Isaiah 53:5 is a
very famous and powerful scripture. In this particular verse Isaiah the
prophet foretells the suffering Christ would endure for mankind. In verse 5
it says, “…the chastisement for our peace was upon him…” Here we want to
focus on how peace is used and what does it mean for us. To understand
the type of peace explained in the verse one must understand that Christ
came to reconcile man back with God. Due to the sin of Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden mankind lost its intimate connection with God. Christ
suffering and eventually death restored mankind in right relationship with
God through Jesus Christ. In other words, there was conflict but through
Christ we have peace with God knowing that we are now justified by the
shedding of Christ blood. Jesus Christ was chastised and in pain that we
might be at ease. The peace comes from being in a right relationship
and fellowship with God through Jesus. Before Christ came there was not
peace between God and man due to sin but Jesus paid the cost with the
shedding of his own blood that we may have peace again with God and thereby
share in His peace. To have peace of mind on earth and to be in peace we
need to have Jesus Christ in our life for He is the peace that our minds so
long for.
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Part 4 in a Series - What
is Peace?
Philippians 4:7
“And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Jesus Christ”
This is perhaps my favorite
scripture when addressing peace. This is because Philippians 4:7
directs us in how we should obtain peace. Peace is given or obtained
by the born again Christian through prayer. For in verse 6 the Bible
says, “…but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your request be made known unto God”. That is to say in
every emergency or cause for concern we have we should take it to God
in prayer. When we are burden it is through prayer to God where we
receive the peace that Philippians 4:7 speaks of. Not only prayer but
verse 6 says we should add thanksgiving in our prayers. We should take
the time and thank God for all He has done for us. This includes past,
present, and future. If we are truly honest with ourselves we know
that God has delivered us all from many situations where there seemed
to be no way out. Also keep in mind that God already knows our needs
before we have them and even before we pray. The praying part is for
us. We can find comfort in communing with God through prayer. As
we pray more to God He will in turn strengthen our faith and give us
the peace that we so long for. Remember in Isaiah 26:3 the Bible says,
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee,
because he trusteth in thee”. Does anybody trust in God today? Do you
believe in Jesus and that He is more than able to meet your need?
Verse 7 also points out a
theme that has been mentioned in the other discussions on peace and
that is peace comes through Jesus Christ. He is the focal point, the
centerpiece. He is the one who gives a peace that can go far
beyond our human understanding abilities. All these messages are given
to us to say this: God does not want his children living troubled
lives, one filled with worrying, concern, and fear. God wants us to
live a life on earth of peace and victory which He will freely give to
all who desire it!
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