THE PEACE OF GOD

Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:6-7

(Col 3:15 NIV)  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

(Phil 4:6 NIV)  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

(Phil 4:7 NIV)  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Introduction

            One way to tell the difference between the voice of God and a counterfeit is a sense of peace.  The voice, which speaks peace, is of God—the voice, which speaks urgency, is not.  God leads—Satan pushes.  When we come to know the abiding peace of God deep within our spirit, we have reached a balance and stability that cannot be upset by circumstances or urgent voices speaking to our mind or emotions.  Nor can we be fooled by a counterfeit guidance, because we’ve learned to recognize the voice of God.

            One of three beacons that guide us is the Holy Spirit speaking to us.  The voice of the Spirit of God as a subjective witness, speaking to our inner man—the spiritual man.  Another function of the Holy Spirit is known as the peace of God and is equally important to us.

            Back in the 60’s there were those who threw the word peace around as if they knew what it meant.  It was painted on signs and fences; rioters and marchers carried its banner—protesting the Vietnam War.  Bumper stickers proclaimed—PEACE NOW!  Then there was the ‘peace sign’, which was an upside down, broken cross within a circle.

Actually, that sign was designed in the first century and was used during witches’ masses to signify the power of Satan over the broken power of Jesus Christ.

            The peace of God functions according to the principle outlined in Colossians 3:15—“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” Listen to how the Amplified Bible reads: “Let the peace of Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts…”

            The peace of God is to act as umpire—to witness within us for or against an intended course of action.  How does the peace of God do this? 

            It occurs when we have conscious rest or assurance in our heart concerning a matter.  Otherwise, we have unrest, uncertainty, or agitation.

            We know better than to argue with the umpire in a ball game—he has the last word.  Either you’re safe or you’re out.  We could get thrown out of the game.  The peace of God is the umpire that calls the strikes and causes us to know whether we are on safe ground.

            What is the nature of the peace?  How do we know when we have it? Are there conditions for having it?

1 THE PEACE OF GOD IS NOT AN ABSENCE OF DISTURBANCE

A.    This is how we blame circumstances:

(1)   The rent is due, the children are sick, the neighbors are nasty, my boss is a grouch, and somebody broke into our house and ripped us off. No wonder I don’t have any peace!

(2)   If we had another President, a new government, clean air, and better environment—we could have peace.

B.     But the peace of God is not dependent upon circumstances.

(1)   It is a state of being that comes from within us.  We are conscious of being at rest, at peace, regardless of circumstances.

(a)    Example of Jesus with disciples in the boat crossing the Sea of Galilee.  A great storm arose, but Jesus was asleep in stern while the disciples were trying to control the ship.  Finally they woke the Lord up and cried, “Don’t you care if we perish?”

(b)   A group of artists were asked to paint a picture of peace: One painted a sunset, another a quiet ocean, a third a harvest scene, and the fourth painted a raging sea with huge waves crashing against the rocks on shore.  Someone observing the painting asked, “How do you vision peace in this picture?”  The artist replied, “Look closer.”—And in the cleft of one of the rocks was a little bird with its head under its wing, asleep.

2. THE PEACE OF GOD IS A SUPERNATURAL REST IN THE MIDST OF SURROUNDING UNREST.

A.    To wait for circumstances to change so we can have peace may mean we will never have peace.  We must first be changed.

(1)   Phil. 4:6-7—“Transcends human understanding.

(2)   “Guards our hearts and minds” (Our emotions and intellect)

B.     The peace of God cannot be ours unless we have made peace with God.

(1)   How—through the new birth, being born again.

C.     Our behavior and attitudes affect our peace with God.

(1) (1 Pet 3:7 NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

(2)   But this principle applies not only to husbands and wives, but to every other relationship as well.  You cannot find true guidance with turmoil inside.  It jams your spiritual radar.

 D. We cannot know peace if we are disobedient to His law.

(Isa 48:18 NIV)  If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

(Isa 48:22 NIV)  "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."

(1)   What does that mean for me?  Am I obedient to His commands?

E.     Love is another condition for peace.

(Psa 119:165 NIV)  Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

a.       Love God and obedience to His Word will be easy.

Conclusion:  Peace with God will bring the peace of God until it settles your nerves, fills your mind, floods over your spirit, and in the midst of the storms raging about you, whether in your world or the world at large, you will have the assurance that everything will be alright.  Peace within is the key to this basic form of guidance.  When you experience the peace of God, you will find the leading of the Holy Spirit quite accurate and very precise.  Guidance evidenced by the peace of God literally arbitrates and settles the disputes in our hearts and minds concerning any course of action we need to take.