Understanding the Peace of God

“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” John14:27.

What is peace? When we call on peace what do we really mean? Can we have peace in the midst of injustice? Can we have peace without resolving our conflicts? Can we have peace without rights?

According to Dictionary .com, peace includes the lack of war, a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, freedom from civil commotion and violence in a community, freedom from strife, freedom of mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, and a state of tranquility or serenity. As observed from this defination, peace is dependant on something happening or in the change of circumstances

The peace of God on the other hand is not conditional to circumstances outside our being. The peace of God is a state of being regardless of the circumstances. When we accept Christ in our lives we receive the Holy Spirit whose work in us produces a deep and lasting peace. This peace ensures us a sound mind when we would be anxious and distressed under normal circumstances.

Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.

Peace in this regard is a condition of mind that releases you from fear, anger, anxiety and pain even when the circumstances in the natural would warrant a different response. The peace of God is a gift as Jesus said “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” John14:27.

The peace of God is manifested in those who understand the sovereignty of God. They understand that God is in control of every situation and that there are times that He will allow things that we do not like to happen if it serves the bigger picture. The perfect example is that of Him allowing Jesus to suffer death in a most shameful manner as a way of reconciling human beings to Him.

Jesus who understood the domain of God manifested peace even at His death. This is why it was possible for Him to pray that God would forgive His killers “because they did not know what they do” Luke 23:34. A normal human being would have been angry and exasperated at being so humiliated and beaten for something he was no guilty of.

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