May peace be upon you!

“Blessed is the peace maker,” our Lord declared, “for they will be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).” 

Peace, however, seems so elusive these days, not just in the world at large, but in many churches. Homes and families, and neighbors are not exempt, either. Yet, the primal urge for each new generation is to desperately seek peace. Wars are fought over the issue, nations and people are torn apart, all in an effort for peace. Wars are won, still there is no peace. Peace like an elusive dream escapes the antagonists. On a lesser scale, but one of the greatest consequences, spouses abandon families and seek peace and quiet elsewhere, only to find that turmoil is again present, just under a different name, or a different roof.

The fact is that unless one has found peace within, regardless of the situation, there will be no peace without. Peace is a gift, otherwise, Christ would not have 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 (John 14:27).

So, one cannot become a peacemaker without first making peace within, and only God can bring that about, for He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). 

Now, I understand that my reading audience is Christian primarily; however, it is one thing to be a Christian, and quite another to live like Christ. I find it amazing that some feel they can fudge on being Christian, and still expect peace. None-the-less, this is often the case. Paul succinctly presented the case when he wrote:

The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s Law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8: 6-8)

Which is to say, that none of us can expect peace within unless we are willing in each situation we face for God to reign unhindered and freely in our hearts. There is no such thing as a little peace and quiet—either we have it, or we don’t. Contentment is not necessarily peace. Contentment may serve as an artificial substitute; but it is simply not peace. So, one should never confuse the two.

In fact, contentment can and most often does lull the complacent Christian to sleep. All may seem well in Zion—so to speak, while, all Hell is brewing just outside our walls of contentment. Eventually, the enemy of our souls will break those walls, and without the Prince of Peace within none of us can withstand the onslaught of worry, fear, and despair. 

So, let us not fool ourselves, money will not bring peace. Neither will a fine home, a luxury car, or a Caribbean cruise. Contentment, perhaps, but not peace. 

Let us, therefore, humble ourselves before Him with an honest expectation that He, the real peace giver, will flood our souls with peace—that peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, that will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus, of which Paul speaks (Philippians 4:8).

Friends, please understand this is not just rose colored religious jargon that I have written, these words are true. They are therapy. They are wholeness for the mind. They are medicine for the soul. They are God’s promises, not mine. 

So, the bottom-line is that regardless of how “Christian” we consider ourselves, that is not enough. The peace of Christ is first passive, then active. Passive in the sense that we must wholeheartedly submit in obedience to Christ; and then active in the sense that we then can become peace-makers. To think otherwise is to not understand the real meaning of what it means to have peace, particularly, peace with God.

Governments, and agencies like the United Nations do a fine job from time to time to bring about a lull in conflicts, but overall such peace is only temporary, elusive, and passing. Eventually, a new trouble-maker will gladly step up and take the place of the last; and like an endless Ferris wheel conflict and turmoil returns once again, and again, and so on. The same applies to us, unless we allow Christ and His Kingdom to reign unhindered in our lives. 

So, this peace of which Christ speaks, is beyond merely a good try on our part, but rather a mystery. However, none-the-less, it is a life that we must live (1 Peter 1:16; Colossians 2:9-11). Therefore, let us,

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 11:14).”

As the Arabs say, may peace be upon you!

JimR/-