Believers’ experience of peace

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Peace is the birthright of every believer in all circumstances. It is found only in God and is maintained through having a close relationship with him.

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Peace for believers in differing situations

In times of sickness, pressure and hardships

Ps 41:1–3; Mt 11:28

See also Job 1:13–22; Job 2:7–10; Ac 16:22–25; 2 Co 12:7–10; 2 Ti 4:16–18

In times of death and grief

John 14:1–3 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

See also Job 19:25–26; 2 Ki 22:18–20; Is 57:1–2; 1 Th 4:13–18

The effects of peace for believers

Forgiveness

Acts 7:60 NIV

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Encouragement

2 Corinthians 1:3–6 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

Health and healing

Proverbs 14:30 NIV

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Security

Proverbs 1:33 NIV

but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

See also Ac 27:21–26; Ro 8:28; Ro 8:35–39

Hope

Romans 15:13 NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How believers maintain peace

Through remaining in Christ

John 15:4–7 NIV

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Through living by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:6 NIV

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Through obedience to God’s word

Joshua 1:8–9 NIV

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Through prayer and meditation

Philippians 4:6–9 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

See also Ps 1:1–3; Is 26:3; 1 Ti 2:1–2

Final peace in death for believers

Is 57:2; Re 14:13

Hope of future peace for believers

Peace in heaven

1 Peter 1:4 NIV

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

See also Jn 14:1–3; 1 Th 4:13–14; Re 7:9–17

Peace in God’s new creation

Revelation 21:1–4 NIV

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”