The Biblical concept of PEACE is more than the greeting Shalom. Shalom was a pronouncement of good spiritual, physical and material well being upon the person greeted.
The Bible speaks of our peace with God in reconciliation and assurance, peace of mind that is void of offence and living in harmony with others.
The Bible also speaks of Public and World peace. In January 2010 the year long, across the planet, World March for Peace came to an end. World peace, of course, has not come but this march highlights the longing of people’s hearts to see an end to conflict, that takes one person’s life every minute of every day.
World peace will one day come when the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet
Rom 16:20
NO PEACE KEEPERS PLEASE!
All over the world the United Nations have Peacekeepers seeking to create social and economic conditions that will aid peace in nations torn apart by conflict.
Peacekeepers have no power to make peace; that power is the possession of those in conflict agreeing to live in peace with each other.
We are robbed of walking in peace when we live as peacekeepers; Jesus calls us to be peacemakers not peacekeepers. Matt 5:9
Keeping the peace simply gives the appearance all is ok; keeping the peace covers internal turmoil with superficial super-spiritual lingo and hypocritical gestures.
Peace with God is unavoidably linked to how we live our life,
Isaiah 57:2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
Isaiah 59:8 The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
We can give the appearance of peace with God, however, we know and God knows the inner turmoil of our soul when we resist the voice of the Spirit to make peace with God.
God sent Jesus to bring the Gospel of peace Eph 6:15
God sent His Spirit to impart His peace
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Rom 8:6
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom 14:17
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…Gal 5:22
Can I call you today to make peace with God? You possess the power to make peace with Him.
Making peace with God does not mean you are going to die, on the contrary, you will live in the fullness of what He has for you.
Walking in peace means you leave behind the offence, the mistake, the sin and go forward without the fear of the past pulling you back again.
Too many Christians are being pulled back and reminded of their past mistakes when we are free
from condemnation. Rom 8:1
God has made you to:
BE FREE from the curse and control of sin; for he whom the son sets free is free indeed John 8:36
REIGN: over every desire. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Rom 6:11
Over every temptation; No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
It seems that you can make peace with God but it’s not long before someone hurts you or gets on your nerves. We are called to walk in peace with everyone, even the people who get on your nerves or people who have hurt and offended you and you family. Rom 12:18
Victoria Osteen tells the story of how she took some stain remover to remove a mark on her carpet.
The instruction said,“remove the stain as quickly as possible, the longer you leave it the harder it is to remove.”
The un-removed offence, hurt or disappointment can so easily become anger and bitterness. Walking with the inner turmoil and battle of un-removed offence weighs you down, wears you out and leaves you crippled by un-forgiveness, robbing you of walking in Shalom with God and others. Eph 4:31
We live in an “analyse it” culture but analysing the stain on your carpet will never remove it. Analysing your hurt will reinforce it rather than remove it and, until you are released from it, you’ll just keep rehearsing it.
The power of peace is possessed by you. The removal of the offence, and with it your release,
will only take place when you choose to forgive. Col 3:13
So many offended and grieved people say,“It’s not that easy to forgive. If you only knew what they did to me.”
Reconciliation is a process, the relationship may not be the same but while un-forgiveness remains reconciliation will never take place, and so you’ll never walk in peace. Forgiveness is a choice we must keep making if we want to keep walking in peace. Luke 11:4;Matt 18:22
Whatever the offence,you can remove it quickly, you do not need to be controlled by it. The power to make peace is possessed by you; it’s your choice to rise above the issue.
God spoke to me when I carried an issue that hurt me for too long. He said, “Do future, not history” Our future in Jesus is fantastic. All our histories are littered with mistakes, hurts and disappointments that pull you back but God’s plan is to take us forward in freedom.
Until you stop the battle in you mind with people, with God, with yourself, God can’t battle for you and you’ll be easy pickings for Satan.
God has freed you to rule and reign over your feelings, to rise above the offence and walk in peace.
Grace and Peace By: J. Hampton Keathley, III
Description—The Kinds of Peace
The Peace of Reconciliation, Peace with God
Peace with God refers to the peace of salvation wherein the barriers, like man’s sin and God’s holiness, which separate man from God are removed through faith in God’s gracious work in Christ. In Ephesians 2, Christ is seen as the Peacemaker.
Ephesians 2:14-18 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Galatians 6:12-16 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
The Peace of Fellowship, the Peace of a Conscience Void of Offense
This is the personal peace which God gives to the individual through fellowship with the Lord, or through walking in concord with God with all known sin confessed and turned over to God’s grace.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
1 Timothy 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Acts 24:16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
Titus 1:3 but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;
The Peace of Assurance, the Peace of God
This is the peace or rest of soul that comes from being confident of God’s supply and that God is in control of all the affairs of life. This is the peace that settles our nerves, fills our minds, and allows us to relax even in the midst of the uproar around us.
Philippians 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Psalm 119:165 Those who love Thy law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Proverbs 3:13-17 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. 14 For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace.
The Peace of Harmony, Peace with Others
This is the peace of unity and oneness in the body of Christ; oneness of mind and purpose.
Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Principle: God reaps a harvest of peace when believers sow and water their minds with the Word. But Satan, the agent of disunity and strife, seeks to sow fear and anger in order to reap a harvest of discord through hurt feelings, failure to forgive, and selfish ambition. This happens when Christians refuse to operate on the principles and promises of the Word.
1 Corinthians 2:6-11 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
Mark 9:50 Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
Philippians 2:1-4 If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
The Peace of State, Public Peace
This is the peace of righteous rule and comes through good rulers or governments acting in accord with the principles of the Word and through a strong nucleus of godly citizens who apply and live by the truth of Scripture (cf. the early chapters of Isaiah).
Romans 13:1-7 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. 5 Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Acts 24:2 And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,
1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Global or World Peace
This is the peace of a world without war and disharmony which can only occur with the return and reign of the Lord (cf. Rev. 20). Until then, there will be wars and rumours of wars (Mat. 24).
Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
The Peace of Orderliness
This is the peace or tranquillity that we experience when we do things decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14:40 But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.
The Peace of Blessing
The wish expressed to others in a greeting for spiritual and physical prosperity, security, and safety as seen in the expression, “Peace, friend” or “Shalom.”
