Prince of Peace

Great Rivals

What is Peace?

Peace is not the same as quiet. Peace is the absence of conflict, both in action and intention, against the governing authority and co-citizenry. The source of peace is the result of a right relationship to authority and society as defined by the shared transcendent morality of a culture. To fully understand peace, we must also consider the foundational role of law, which establishes the boundaries that make such harmony possible.

Define Law

Law is the minimum accepted level of behavior—both seen and unseen—of a society set forth by an authority over a people in congruence with their laws to establish moral boundaries. Law sets the standard of interaction and governance, of exercising authority and obedience. In this way, law serves as a bridge between societal order and divine peace, illustrating how human systems reflect the greater harmony intended by God.

Aquinas: "Law is nothing else than an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community, and promulgated [made known by decree]." (Summa Theologica, I-II, Q.90, A.4)

J. Budziszewski: "The whole idea of a moral law is that it binds us whether we like it or not. If it really were just a social convention—if we could make it up and change it to suit ourselves, so that we weren’t bound unless we wanted to be—then it wouldn’t be a morality."

For the world to understand peace, we must have a standard of what peace actually is—a measure of righteous behavior. Therefore, when the minimum behavior is exceeded in such a way as to produce an injustice against the authority or co-citizenry that results in a harm, we have a breach of peace.

This understanding sets the stage for recognizing how true peace can only be achieved through alignment with divine principles, as exemplified by Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Jesus, Our Prince of Peace

In Isaiah 9:6 “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” the word for peace is shalom. Shalom is not limited to peace in the modern mindset such as the absence of war or of conflict between parties; it encompasses completeness, soundness, good welfare, and, of course, serenity.

Shalom begins not with what is internal to humanity but with the external witness of God’s order. It is proper alignment with God and God’s virtues and desires lived out. Shalom is perfect vertical alignment with the eternal—perfect righteousness flowing from God to creation, to be witnessed and imitated.

Jesus being our Prince of Peace traces back to Genesis 3 and the fall of humanity into sin. Adam and Eve fell out of alignment with God by rejecting His commands and authority in favor of their own. Sin entered the world, placing human will at enmity with God’s will. We see in the text a disharmony on every level because sin has effected the perfect creation of God and its relationship to God. As a result, God declared curses:

Cosmic Conflict: The serpent becomes an adversary of humans.

Relational Distortion: Harmony between man and woman is disrupted.

Struggle with Creation: Humans must battle creation for survival.

But God did not abandon His creation but instead worked to keep His creature connected to the Divine anchor.

God introduced the concept of need now for atonement for the payment and covering of sin, in the sacrificial system. However, these acts did not save humanity, as people remained prone to sin. A better solution was needed—one that depended not on humanity’s work but on God’s work to restore proper vertical and horizontal relationships.

Romans 3:21–31: "But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith..."

Jesus’ work of reconciliation reveals the heart of God’s law—a divine standard designed to guide humanity into right relationship with Him and one another." By His wounds we have been healed” 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

Through the cross of Jesus Christ, those who believe are sealed and claimed by the Holy Spirit and are enabled because of God’s living spirit within us to lead lives toward perfect righteousness. We become holy because God is holy. We are sanctifed and are being sanctified. "Sanctification is the process of being made holy... It is the work of God’s grace in our lives to transform us into the image of Christ."

From his sermon "The Scripture Way of Salvation"

“It is a living, practical, and growing religion. This sanctification consists not merely in freedom from sin, but in the full image of God.”

From his "Sermon on Sanctification"

God enables us to live to His standard by His power!

The Canon: Law as God’s Standard

The term canon means law or standard. It represents God’s minimum level of accepted behavior among humanity toward Himself and one another. This encapsulates Aquinas’s definition of law, emphasizing rationality, the common good, legitimate authority, and promulgation.

"Understanding God’s law as a standard reveals its transformative power—peace with God brings profound personal and communal consequences for those who live in alignment with His will."

The Consequences of Peace with God

Having peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ brings transformative consequences in both personal and communal areas. This peace extends beyond a lack of conflict, encompassing spiritual restoration, relational harmony, and purposeful living.

John 1:12 “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,”

Personal Consequences

Reconciliation with God

Peace with God removes the enmity caused by sin (Romans 5:10), restoring assurance of His love and presence.

Forgiveness and freedom from guilt liberate believers to approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

Inner Peace and Security

Justification brings peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), guarding the heart against anxiety.

Trust in God’s sovereignty replaces fear, even in trials (Romans 8:28).

Access to Grace and Hope

Believers enjoy continual access to God’s grace, enabling growth and perseverance (Romans 5:2).

Hope sustains individuals through suffering and instills forward-looking faith.

Renewed Identity and Purpose

Justification brings adoption into God’s family (Romans 8:15), instilling belonging and purpose.

Transformation by the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

Victory Over Sin and Death

Peace with God ensures no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1).

Believers live victoriously over sin (Romans 6:14).

This personal holiness flows outwardly to the community we are a part. "There is no holiness but social holiness. The gospel of Christ knows no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness."

From "The Character of a Methodist"

Communal Consequences

Harmony Among Believers

Peace with God fosters unity in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3).

Barriers of division, such as cultural differences, are broken down in Christ (Ephesians 2:14–16).

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Experiencing God’s forgiveness compels believers to forgive others (Colossians 3:13).

Communities marked by forgiveness reflect God’s reconciling power.

Mutual Encouragement and Support

Peace with God creates a foundation for bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

The church becomes a sanctuary of compassion and encouragement.

Witness to the World

A peaceful, unified community testifies to God’s kingdom (John 13:35).

The church’s mission of reconciliation extends the offer of peace to all (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).

Service and Justice

Peace with God motivates believers to serve others selflessly (Mark 10:45).

Social justice and peacemaking reflect God’s peace in a broken world (Matthew 5:9).

Summary

God has made possible to have peace with him through Jesus Christ. Because of that peace all other peace is possible. We are able to live in a community that reflects Kingdom ideals and activity because of personal security in Jesus.

In personal areas, peace with God through Jesus Christ brings reconciliation, inner peace, hope, and transformation. In communal areas, it fosters unity, forgiveness, mutual support, and a powerful witness. This peace not only restores relationships but also equips individuals and communities to reflect God’s kingdom, embodying His love and grace.