The Peace of God
How we as Christians should learn how to embrace the Peace of God and realize that the Peace of God is forever Present with us and in us at all times.
How Do We Embrace The Peace of God
B. THE DEFINITION OF PEACE
“The peace [Greek, eirene] of God,” Phil. 4:7, is tranquility of mind based upon a consciousness of being an object of the favor of God and an heir of the promises of God.
C. THE AUTHOR OF PEACE
In Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thes. 5:23; Heb. 13:20, God is called “the God [the author] of peace.” All peace, including experiential peace, comes from God, just as “every good gift and every perfect gift cones from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning,” James 1:17. “The peace of God” comes down from God through the Holy Spirit into the hearts of dedicated believers.
D. THE POSSESSORS OF PEACE
“The peace of God” is “a fruit of the Spirit.” Sinners do not possess this peace (nor any other of the fruits of the Spirit) for they do not have the Holy Spirit. Carnal Christians do not possess this peace for they have, but are not yielded to, the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Christians do possess this peace for they have, and are yielded to, the Holy Spirit.
E. THE MAINTENANCE OF PEACE
“The peace of God” is maintained through prayer. When we are burdened with the cares of this life, we are tempted to worry and so lose our peace but instead of worrying and losing our peace, we can pray and keep our peace. When we are “troubled on every side,” 2 Cor. 4:8, we can make our requests “known unto God” and the peace of God will rise up in our hearts and guard our hearts and minds against worry and fear, Phil. 4:6, 7.
We can cast all of our cares upon Him, 1 Peter 5:7, and “rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him,” Psa. 37:7, and so maintain our peace.
THE BIBLE EXAMPLES OF PEACE
1. The example of Jesus—He, in His earthly life of humiliation, ever experienced the peace of God in His heart. In Jn. 14:27, Jesus spoke of His peace and promised to leave His peace with His disciples as a legacy and as a gift. He did leave us this gift and it is ours if we will but appropriate it by abiding in Him, Jn. 16:33.
THE INEXPLICABLENESS OF PEACE
This peace “passeth all understanding,” Phil. 4:7. We who experience it can’t understand it, so we can’t explain it to others. As Guy King used to say, “it is better felt than telt.”
THE VALUE OF PEACE
Peace guards us from worry, Phil. 4:7. Anything which can keep us from worry is a possession of great value.
THE COMPANION OF PEACE
Peace and joy are two fruits of the Spirit that are often found together, Rom. 14:7; 15:13; Gal. 5:22. When we as Christians are yielded to God and believe that God is the author, directly or indirectly, of all of our troubles, that He is ever with us in our troubles, that He is making our troubles work for His glory and our good, and that He will eventually deliver us wholly from all of our troubles, we have both peace and joy in our hearts. Peace and joy are Siamese twins.
THE GREAT PICTURE OF PEACE
Luke 8:22–25—When Jesus was awakened and placed in command of the boat, a great calm came. Even so, when we Christians awaken Jesus and place Him in command of our boat (our body), a great calm comes.
THE UNIVERSAL QUEST FOR PEACE
Every one of the more than five billions of people on this earth are seeking, either consciously or unconsciously, for peace (quietness, rest, satisfaction, contentment).
L. THE RECIPE FOR PEACE
1. The false recipe
Peace is not found by practicing stoicism (showing indifference to pleasure or pain) or by practicing epicureanism (indulging the senses).
2. The true recipe
a. Be born again.
b. Become a dedicated Christian.
c. Desire peace.
d. Study the Scriptures (become acquainted with the promises of God and the faithfulness of God).
e. Pray for peace.
f. Trust God for peace.
Peace, Inner. To study the phenomenon of inner peace one needs first to consider peace as a concept. Peace is a word with rich and diverse meanings. Historically, it meant the basic absence of conflict or war. In the Hebrew tradition, shalom was used as a courteous greeting and a genuine wish for health and prosperity. The Old Testament usage of this word generally implied soundness, completeness, and total well-being. It had several tangible aspects referring to personal safety from danger, length of days, and a quiet and easy death. It was used to describe good relations among individuals, communities, and nations. Peace was often associated with true friendship, righteousness, and sound judgment. Most important, peace implied tranquility, contentment, serenity, and wholeness. In the Greek literature, eirene meant an underlying principle, a harmonious state of mind, and a tranquility that could exist regardless of external circumstances.
Peace has also a theological dimension. It reaches its full meaning in the context of a personal relationship with God. Ultimately, God is the author and giver of peace; therefore, an authentic peace cannot be experienced or attained in isolation from God. In the Scriptures, there is an obvious correlation between being in the kingdom, that is, being part of the covenant, and having peace with God.
ANXIETY; (BE) ANXIOUS [Heb. dā’ag̱ (1 S. 9:5; 10:2; Jer. 17:8), de’āg̱â (Prov. 12:25), ‘eṣeḇ—‘pain,’ ‘toil’ (Ps. 127:2), śî (a)ḥ (1 S. 1:16), ḥālâ (Mic. 1:12); Aram kerā’ (Dnl. 7:15)]; AV HEAVINESS, COMPLAINT, SORROWS, GRIEVED, etc.; NEB WORRY, CARE, GRIEF, TROUBLED, GREATLY ALARMED (Mic. 1:12), etc.; [GK. merimnáō (Mt. 6:25ff; 10:19; Lk. 10:41; 12:11ff; 1 Cor. 7:32ff; Phil. 2:20; 4:6), mérimna (2 Cor. 11:28; 1 Pet. 5:7), promerimnáō (Mk. 13:11), amérimnos (1 Cor. 7:32), baréomai (2 Cor. 5:4), meteōrízomai (Lk. 12:29), odynáō (Lk. 2:48), álypos (Phil. 2:28)]; AV TAKE THOUGHT, BE CAREFUL, GROAN (2 Cor. 5:4), “of doubtful mind” (Lk. 12:29), SORROWING (Lk. 2:48), etc.; NEB also LOOK AFTER (Mt. 6:34), CARE FOR (1 Cor. 7:32ff), “take a genuine interest in” (Phil. 2:20), FRETTING (Lk. 10:41), SORROW (Phil. 2:28), etc.
A sense of unhappiness arising from a loss of confidence in one’s own abilities, in the reliability of God or in the power of the gospel. Discouragement can occur in the Christian life, especially when there is resistance to the gospel or in instances of personal failure. Scripture provides reassurance for those who experience discouragement.
The experience of discouragement
Job 3:20-26 See also Nu 21:4-5 the Israelites in the desert; Jos 2:8-11 the Canaanites and Rahab; 1Sa 17:10-11 the Israelites and Goliath; 2Ki 19:26 God’s judgment on Sennacherib; Job 5:6-7; Ps 38:1-14; Pr 1:26-27 Wisdom speaks to the sinner; Ecc 2:17-20 the Teacher’s disillusion; Isa 21:2-4; Jer 45:3 to Baruch; Eze 21:7 God’s judgment on Israel; Zec 10:2; 2Co 1:8-9 Paul
Prayer in discouragement
Ps 42:5-11 See also Dt 26:6-7; 2Sa 22:7 David; 2Ch 20:9 Jehoshaphat; Ne 9:32; Ps 31:9-12; Isa 38:14 Hezekiah; Jer 8:18-19; Jnh 2:1-2
Endurance in discouragement
Isa 42:3-4 See also 2Co 6:4-10 Paul; 2Th 1:4; Heb 10:32; 12:3; Rev 2:3 concerning the church at Ephesus
Discouragement through disobedience
Jer 8:9 See also 1Sa 28:15-18; Job 15:24-25 Eliphaz to Job; Zep 1:17
Discouragement and discipline
Heb 12:5-7 See also Jdg 2:14-15; Isa 26:16
Effects of discouragement
Pr 17:22 See also Ex 6:9 the Israelites in Egypt; 2Sa 4:1; Ezr 4:4 the rebuilding of the temple; Job 4:5; Pr 15:13; 18:14
Resisting discouragement
Dt 1:21 See also Jos 1:9; 8:1; 1Sa 17:32 David reassuring Saul about Goliath; 1Ch 22:13 David to Solomon; 2Ch 32:7 Hezekiah; Jer 51:46; Lk 18:1; Jn 14:1; Gal 6:9; Eph 3:13; 2Ti 4:5
God’s help in discouragement
Ro 8:35-39 See also Dt 31:6,8,23; Jos 1:9; 1Ch 28:20; 2Ch 20:15,17; Ps 34:18; Isa 40:29-31; 61:1; Lk 4:18; Jer 30:10; Jn 16:33; 2Co 7:6 Paul
Warnings not to discourage others
The Israelites discouraged when on the point of entering the promised land Ob 12 See also Dt 1:28 by the spies; Nu 32:7 by the Gadites and Reubenites
General warnings not to discourage others Ps 109:16; Zec 10:2; Ac 15:19 James advises against discouraging the Gentiles; Col 3:21
The need to stand with the discouraged
Heb 13:3 See also Job 6:14; Jer 8:21; Ro 12:15; Jas 1:27
fear
An attitude of anxiety or distress, caused by concern over a threat to one’s future. Scripture provides numerous examples of situations in which fear is experienced. It declares, however, that God alone is to be feared, and moments of human fear can be opportunities for deepening faith in him.
Reverent fear of God commended
Pr 1:7 See also Dt 6:13; 31:12-13; Jos 4:24; 24:14; 1Sa 12:24; Ps 2:11; 34:7-9; Pr 15:33; Ecc 12:13; Isa 33:6; Rev 14:7
Fear of natural phenomena
Ps 91:5; Jnh 1:4-5 See also Ge 19:30; Job 5:22; Ecc 12:5; Isa 7:25; Mt 8:26; Rev 11:13
Fear of the unnatural
Fear of thoughts and visions Da 4:5; Ac 10:4 See also 1Sa 3:15; Job 4:13-15; Isa 21:4; Da 8:17; 10:11-12; Mt 1:20; 28:4; Lk 1:12-13,29-30; 2:9-10
Fear of the unknown or the abnormal Mt 14:26-27 pp Mk 6:50 pp Jn 6:19-20 Ac 5:5 See also Ex 20:18; 34:30 The radiance of Moses’ face reflected God’s glory and made the Israelites afraid; Dt 5:5; 1Sa 4:7; Ne 6:16; Jer 10:2; Da 5:9 Belshazzar’s fear at the writing on the wall; Jnh 1:10; Mt 17:6 the fear of the disciples at the transfiguration; Mt 27:54; Mk 5:33; 9:32; 16:8; Lk 5:10; 8:37 Fear seized the people when the Gerasene demoniac was healed; Lk 9:34; Jn 19:8; Ac 19:17
Fear of embarrassment or shame
Ge 3:10 See also Isa 54:4; Jn 3:20; 2Co 12:20
Fear of the future
Jer 51:46 See also Isa 41:23; Mk 10:32; Lk 12:32; Ac 27:24
Fear of persecution
Ezr 4:4; Jn 12:42-43 See also 1Ki 19:3; Jn 7:13; 9:22; 20:19; 1Pe 3:14; Rev 2:10
Fear of death
Heb 2:14-15 See also Ps 55:4-5; Mk 5:36 pp Lk 8:50; Ac 23:10
Fear of people
Of enemies Ex 14:10; 1Sa 7:7 See also Nu 22:3; Jdg 7:3; 1Sa 17:24,11; 2Sa 10:19; 2Ch 12:5; Ps 27:1-3; 56:1-4; Isa 20:5; 41:5; Jer 22:25; 41:18; Ob 9
Of one’s own family Ge 32:11; 45:3; Jdg 9:21 See also Ge 31:31; 32:7; 42:4; 50:19; Jdg 6:27
Of particular people 1Sa 15:24; 1Co 2:3 See also Ge 26:7; Ex 2:14; Dt 2:4; 1Sa 18:15 Saul’s fear of David; 2Sa 3:11; Ne 2:2 Nehemiah’s fear before the king; Est 7:6; Jer 26:21; 38:19; Mt 2:22; Mk 12:12; Lk 19:21; Ac 9:26 the disciples fear of Paul, not believing his conversion; 1Co 16:10; 2Co 7:15; Gal 2:12
Of human beings in general Pr 29:25 See also Dt 1:17; Isa 51:7
Fear of judgment
Eze 11:8; Ac 24:25 See also 1Sa 28:20; 1Ch 21:30; Isa 33:14; Jer 17:18; 30:5; 42:15-16; Eze 12:18; 27:35; Zec 9:5; 1Jn 4:18 Christians, assured of God’s love, no longer fear judgment; Rev 18:10,15
Fear as a deterrent
Ro 13:4 See also Dt 13:11; 17:13; 19:20; 21:21; Job 19:28-29
Fear as an opportunity for faith
Dt 1:21; Ps 23:4; Pr 3:25-26; Mt 10:29-31 See also Ex 14:13; Dt 1:29; 7:18-21; 31:6; Jos 11:6; Ne 4:14; Ps 3:6; 34:4; 49:5; 56:3; Isa 10:24; 35:3-4; 41:14; 43:5; 44:8; 51:12; Jer 1:8,17; 30:10; 42:11; 46:27; Eze 2:6; 3:9; Da 10:19; Mt 8:26 pp Mk 4:40 pp Lk 8:25; Mk 6:49-51; Jn 14:27
hope
In Scripture, a confident expectation for the future, describing both the act of hoping and the object hoped for. When grounded in God, hope provides the motivation to live the Christian life even in the face of trouble.
This set of themes consists of the following:
9611 hope, nature of
9612 hope, in God
9613 hope, as confidence
9614 hope, results of its absence
9615 hope, results of
9611
hope, nature of
Hope, in its general sense, is the anticipation of a future outcome. It is a subjective expectation which may be either firmly based or misdirected.
Hope that an event will take place
1Co 9:10; 1Ti 3:14 See also Est 9:1; Lk 6:34; Ac 24:26 Felix hoped Paul would offer him a bribe; Ro 15:24 Paul hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain; 1Co 9:15; 16:7; 2Co 1:13-14; 5:11; 11:1
Paul hopes to send Timothy to the Philippians: Php 2:19,23
Phm 22; 2Jn 12; 3Jn 14
Hope for a positive outcome
Ecc 9:4 See also Ru 1:12; 2Ki 4:28; Pr 19:18; Ro 11:14
Misplaced or vain hope
Ps 33:17; Jer 23:16 See also Job 8:13-14; 11:20; Pr 26:12; 29:20; Jer 50:7; 1Ti 6:17
Hope removed or not satisfied
Job 30:26; Jer 8:15 See also Job 6:19-20; 14:7-12; 19:10; 27:8; Isa 38:18; Jer 13:16; 14:19; La 3:18; Eze 37:11; Zec 9:5; Lk 24:21 The two disciples share their hopes with Jesus Christ on the Emmaus road; 1Th 4:13
The malicious hope of the wicked
Pr 10:28 See also Pr 11:7,23; 24:19-20; Lk 20:20; 23:8; Ac 16:19
A state of pleasure or joy experienced both by people and by God, but subject to change according to circumstances. True happiness derives from a secure and settled knowledge of God and a rejoicing in his works and covenant faithfulness. God rejoices over his faithful people.
Happiness found in human relationships
Dt 24:5 See also Ge 30:13; 34:19; 1Ki 10:8; Ps 113:9; Pr 23:24; Ecc 9:9; SS 4:10; Ro 15:24; 2Co 7:13
Happiness found in people and things
1Ki 4:20; Lk 1:14; 1Ti 6:17 See also Dt 20:6
David and Jonathan: 1Sa 18:3; 20:17
Ps 127:3-5; Ecc 3:12; 5:19; 8:15; 11:9; Isa 65:22; Jnh 4:6; Lk 12:19; Jn 16:21; Php 2:25-30
Happiness found in God
In God’s presence Ps 16:11 See also Ps 21:6; 43:4; 1Th 3:9
In God’s word Ps 119:35 See also Isa 55:2; Jer 15:16; Mk 12:37; Ro 7:22
In God’s actions Ge 21:6; Ac 11:23 See also Ex 18:9; 1Sa 2:1; 19:5; 1Ki 8:66; Est 8:16; Ps 16:6; 92:4; 111:2; Isa 61:10; Ac 13:48
God’s happiness
In obedient people Dt 30:9-10 See also 1Sa 15:22; Ps 147:11; Isa 9:17; Mt 25:21
In the righteous Pr 11:20 See also Ps 147:11; Pr 11:1; Ecc 2:26; Jer 9:24
Jesus Christ’s recipe for happiness
Mt 5:3-10 pp Lk 6:20-22
Happiness may not be permanent
Ecc 7:14 See also Est 5:9; Job 7:7; Ps 10:6; Pr 15:13; Ecc 11:9; Jer 16:9; La 5:15; Joel 1:12
Happiness for those who trust in God
Ps 84:12 See also Ps 2:12; 34:8; 40:4; 146:5; Pr 16:20; Jer 17:7; Lk 1:45; Jn 20:29; Gal 3:9
Happiness for those who obey God
Ps 89:15 See also Job 5:17; Ps 1:1-2; 94:12; 112:1; 128:1; Pr 28:14; 29:18; Isa 56:1-2; Lk 11:27-28; Rev 1:3; 22:7
Happiness for those who are forgiven
Ps 32:1-2 See also Ro 4:7-8; Rev 22:14
Happiness for those who suffer persecution
1Pe 3:14 See also Mt 5:11-12; 1Pe 4:14
Happiness for those who persevere
Mt 11:6 See also Jas 1:12; 5:11; Rev 16:15
peace, human search for
Scripture teaches that peace is only found in God, but people try to find it elsewhere. A person’s desire for peace varies according to his or her circumstances.
The places where people search for peace
People search for peace in others Ge 5:28-29 See also SS 8:10
People search for peace in material possessions Ecc 4:8 See also Job 21:7-13; Da 4:4; Mt 19:16-22; Lk 12:16-19
People search for peace in God Ps 4:8 See also Job 22:21; Pr 19:23; Isa 26:3; Lk 7:37-50
The dangers in searching for peace
It can lead to greed Ecc 4:6 See also Mt 23:25
It can lead to suffering and bondage Ge 42:1-17; Jos 9:3-27; Mk 5:25-26
It can lead to destruction 1Th 5:3 See also 2Ki 20:12-19; Lk 16:19-26
People’s search for peace varies according to their circumstances
The desire can increase in times of suffering and difficulties Ex 2:23 See also Jer 14:19; 47:2-6; La 3:7-24; Eze 7:23-27; Mk 5:24-34 pp Mt 9:18-22 pp Lk 8:42-48
The desire can diminish in times of comfort Ex 8:12-15 See also Job 12:5; Hos 10:1; Am 6:1
6705
peace, believers’ experience of
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.
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; 2:7-10; Ac 16:22-25; 2Co 12:7-10; 2Ti 4:16-18
In times of death and grief Jn 14:1-3 See also Job 19:25-26; 2Ki 22:18-20; Isa 57:1-2; 1Th 4:13-18
The effects of peace for believers
Forgiveness Ac 7:60 See also Ro 12:17-19
Encouragement 2Co 1:3-6 See also Php 4:11-13
Health and healing Pr 14:30 See also Isa 57:18-19
Security Pr 1:33 See also Ac 27:21-26; Ro 8:28,35-39
Hope Ro 15:13 See also Ro 5:1-5
How believers maintain peace
Through remaining in Christ Jn 15:4-7 See also Jn 16:33; Ro 5:1-5
Through living by the Holy Spirit Ro 8:6 See also Ro 14:17-19; Gal 5:22
Through obedience to God’s word Jos 1:8-9 See also Ps 119:165-167
Through prayer and meditation Php 4:6-9 See also Ps 1:1-3; Isa 26:3; 1Ti 2:1-2
Final peace in death for believers
Isa 57:2; Rev 14:13 See also 2Ki 22:19-20; Lk 2:29
Hope of future peace for believers
Peace in heaven 1Pe 1:4 See also Jn 14:1-3; 1Th 4:13-14; Rev 7:9-17
Peace in God’s new creation Rev 21:1-4 See also Isa 11:6-9; Ro 8:18-23; Rev 22:3-5