God, Jesus, and Peace

Posted by on March 17, 2005 under Bulletin Articles

An incredible bond exists between Jesus Christ, his disciple, and peace. Paul’s epistles’ emphasis coupling peace and existence in Christ is astounding! There are far too many examples to note all of them in this brief writing. Consider just a few examples.

Paul commonly opened his letters with a greeting of peace-peace and Christian existence belong together! (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3.) He also frequently mentioned “peace” when he closed a letter.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
Romans 14:17 “… for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:19 “So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
1 Corinthians 7:15 “… but God has called us to peace.”
Galatians 5:22, 23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Ephesians 4:3 “… being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Existence in this physical world is filled with anxiety! All of us experience the anxiety of failed promises, hostile circumstances, and defeated expectations. Physically speaking, what we “want” is forever out of alignment with what we “have.” Our world, our circumstances, our possessions, our earthly ambitions, our education, our jobs, our accomplishments, or our leisure are never an enduring source of peace. Inwardly there is this unsettling sense of turmoil that seems to constantly haunt us, constantly call attention to our emptiness, and constantly remind us of why we should be afraid.

Being in Christ will not change the world, or circumstances, or possessions, or ambitions, or educations, or jobs, or accomplishments, or leisure. Being in Christ changes us. Even when all about us rages in the winds, waves, and mists of uncertainty, God grants us peace in Jesus Christ. In Christ there is a sense of calm when all else is in turmoil. Why? In Christ we live for something bigger than the moment of “now” called the eternal.