finally, …, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. [2 corinthians 13:11]
live in peace.
living in peace is the desire of almost every human heart. we all long to live in true peace in our country, our city, and our neighborhoods. we long to see people at peace. even greater is the desire to live in peace in our homes. in our marriages, we want to agree with one another – making peace the fruit of our love and oneness. and, peace in our family can certainly be a mystery that is often hard to solve. oh, that we could live in peace.
peace – seems so elusive, so hard to grasp. at times, it seems impossible.
truth: peace, real peace that comes from God alone is impossible for us to make or conjure up. we can negotiate cease fires in national wars and marital wars. in addition, we often create a false sense of peace by not pursuing what is right and just. we just leave it alone – hoping peace comes. in those moments, we back down in that relational conflict because we desire comfort more than we desire true peace. peace, real peace that God alone is and can bring is impossible for us.
we can only live in true peace, the peace of God when two things are present:
1- we can only live in true peace when we embrace the peace God made for us thru Jesus Christ.
[19] for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. [21] and you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, [col 1:19–22]
we were all enemies of God, at war, hostile in mind and deeds. BUT, God has made peace with us thru Jesus blood. by faith we are reconciled, made right and brought into a relationship where there is no longer judgment but now only acceptance in Christ. there is no longer condemnation but now only forgiveness in Christ. there is no longer hostilities but now only peace in Christ. without Christ in us – there is no peace with God and no peace in our hearts. and, with not peace in our hearts, there will be little peace with others.
2- we can only live in peace thru the person and power of the Holy Spirit who is Peace.
[26] but the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. [27] peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. not as the world gives do I give to you. [john 14:26-27]
God is true peace. and in his Spirit, we receive true peace. not the peace of the world but the peace of God. the peace that allows us as brothers and sisters in Christ to agree with one another, and live in peace without compromising righteousness. we don’t have to worship comfort to know true peace – we need to worship our King and his will and submit to his Spirit who alone can empower us to live in true peace.
have you embraced the peace God has made with you thru Christ? have you trusted your soul to Jesus to make you right before God so you can be with God? only here will you know true peace and then be able to live in peace with God and others. otherwise, your heart will always be in turmoil.
are you bending your knee to your King and not comfort? are you submitting your heart and will to the Spirit who alone can empower us to enjoy and live in peace?
today – embrace the peace we have with God thru Jesus Christ, and submit to your King allowing the Spirit of God to rule and give peace to you and thru you.
~ john ryan