Overview of Peace

Peace is total well-being, prosperity, and security associated with God’s presence among his people. Linked in the Old Testament with the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants, the presence of peace was conditional, based on Israel’s obedience. In the prophetic writings, true peace was part of the end-time hope of God’s salvation. In the New Testament, this longed-for peace was understood as having come in Christ to be experienced by the believers.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

“Shalom,” the most prominent Old Testament term for “peace,” held a wide range of connotations (wholeness, health, security, well-being, and salvation) and could apply to an equally wide range of contexts: the state of the individual (Psalm 37:37; Proverbs 3:2), the relationship of person to person (Genesis 34:21; Joshua 9:15) or nation to nation (1 Kings 5:12; Psalm 122:6-7), and the relationship of God and people (Psalm 85:8; Jeremiah 16:5).

The presence of shalom in any of these contexts was not considered ultimately as the outcome of human endeavor but as a gift or blessing of God (Leviticus 26:6; 1 Kings 2:33; Job 25:2; Psalms 29:11; Psalms 85:8; Isaiah 45:7). It is not surprising, therefore, to find “peace” tied closely to the Old Testament notion of covenant. Shalom was the desired state of harmony and communion between the two covenant partners-God and his people (Numbers 6:26). Its presence signified God’s blessing in the covenant relationship (Malachi 2:5), and its absence signified the breakdown of that relationship due to Israel’s disobedience and unrighteousness (Jeremiah 16:5, Jeremiah 16:10-13).

Shalom becomes a pivotal term in the prophetic writings. The “false” prophets, forgetting the conditions for national well-being within the covenant relationship, assumed that God’s loyalty to Israel (Psalm 89:1) would guarantee political peace forever (Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 8:15; Micah 3:5). Against such popular but false security, the prophets before the exile proclaimed the coming judgment precisely as a loss of this shalom due to Israel’s persistent disobedience and unrighteousness (Isaiah 48:18; Micah 3:4, Micah 3:9-12).

The prophets did, however, point beyond the crises of exile and the setbacks it caused to a time when shalom, characterized by prosperity and well-being (Isaiah 45:7), absence of conflict (Ezekiel 34:28-31), right relations (Micah 4:1-4), restoration of harmony in nature (Ezekiel 47:1-12), and salvation (Isaiah 60:17) would again return. Often this eschatological (or end-time) expectation of peace in the Old Testament was associated with a messianic figure, as in Isaiah 9:6, where the future Messiah is termed the “Prince of Peace.” Moreover, his reign would be one of “peace” not only for Israel but throughout the whole earth (Zechariah 9:9-10). The Old Testament ends with this hope of peace still unrealized in its full sense.

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Greek term for “peace” used predominantly in the New Testament is eirene, a word expanded from its classical Greek connotation of “rest” to include the various connotations of shalom discussed above. As with shalom, eirene could be used as a greeting or farewell (as in “peace be with you”-Luke 10:5; Galatians 6:16), or could signify the end of conflict (national-Luke 14:32; or interpersonal-Ephesians 4:3), or the presence of domestic tranquillity.

The chief issue concerns how Jesus incorporated the Old Testament hope for the eschatological peace of God into his ministry. In the benediction of Zechariah in Luke 1:67-79, the coming of Jesus as the Messiah is expected to “guide our feet into the way of peace.” So also the angelic testimony to the shepherds proclaims Jesus as the bringer of God’s peace to people. That is, Jesus as the Messiah would usher in God’s reign of peace. Jesus’ self-understanding as expressed in the fourth Gospel corresponds to this association. This long-expected peace of God is Jesus’ farewell gift to the disciples (John 14:27); it is given to them when he breathed his Spirit into them (John 20:19-22).

The nature of this gift of peace brought by Jesus may be easier to explain by stating what it is not. It is not an end to tension or the absence of warfare. It is not domestic tranquillity nor anything like the worldly estimation of peace (Luke 12:51-53). Its presence may, on the contrary, actually disturb existing relations, being a dividing “sword” in family relations (Matthew 10:34-37). Jesus’ gift of peace is, in reality, the character and mood of the new covenant of his blood that reconciles God to people (Colossians 1:20) and forms the basis of subsequent reconciliation between divergent people (Ephesians 2:14-22).

The early church understood “peace” to be the final, end-time salvation of God given already through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7-9). This understanding of “peace” altered the content of the common greeting “go in peace” as it was taken up in the Christian community. In Paul’s common “grace and peace” greeting (1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2), it is no longer a mere wish for peace that Paul extends to his readers but is a reminder of the messianic gifts available in the present time through Christ to the man of faith. In accord with this, Jesus is described as “peace” itself (Ephesians 2:14), while God, too, because of his act of reconciliation through Christ, is known as a “God of peace” (Philippians 4:9; Colossians 3:15).

This gift of peace or reconciliation with God, made available through Christ, places an ethical demand on the Christian; it calls for the exercises of “peace” (as reconciliation between persons) within the church. Peace, as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), is to be the goal of the Christian’s dealings with others (Hebrews 12:14).

WHAT IS PEACE?

BIBLE READING: Psalm 122:1-9
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. (Psalm 122:6-7)

PEACE IS WHOLENESS

The peace sought in these verses is much more than the mere absence of conflict. It suggests completeness, health, justice, prosperity, and protection. The world cannot provide this peace. Real peace comes from faith in God, because he alone embodies all the characteristics of peace. To find peace of mind and peace with others, you must find peace with God.

BIBLE READING: John 14:1-31
KEY BIBLE VERSE: I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27)

PEACE IS RESTING IN GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our life is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance. With Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace (see Philippians 4:6-7 for more on experiencing God’s peace).

PEACE IS THE CALMING OF INTERNAL CONFLICT

Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our heart and life to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says he will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from him.

BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-11
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1)

PEACE IS RECONCILIATION WITH GOD

We now have peace with God, which may differ from peaceful feelings such as calmness and tranquility. There is no more hostility between us, no sin blocking our relationship with him. Peace with God is possible only because Jesus paid the price for our sins through his death on the cross.

PEACE ACHIEVED

HOW CAN WE FIND PEACE?

BIBLE READING: Genesis 21:1-7
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Who would have dreamed that I would ever have a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age! (Genesis 21:7)

PEACE IS THE BY-PRODUCT OF TRUST IN GOD.

After repeated promises, a visit by two angels, and the appearance of the Lord himself, Sarah finally cried out with amazement and joy at the birth of her son. Because of her doubt, worry, and fear, she had forfeited the peace she could have felt in God’s wonderful promise to her. The way to bring peace to a troubled heart is to focus on God’s promises. Trust him to do what he says.

BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Asa told the people of Judah, “Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is ours because we sought the LORD our God, and he has given us rest from our enemies.” So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion. (2 Chronicles 14:7)

PEACE IS A BY-PRODUCT OF OBEDIENCE

Asa’s reign was marked by peace because he “did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God.” This refrain is often repeated in Chronicles-obedience to God leads to peace with God and others. In the case of Judah’s kings, obedience to God led to national peace, just as God had promised centuries earlier. In our case, obedience may not always bring peace with our enemies, but it will bring peace with God and complete peace in his future kingdom. Obeying God is the first step on the path to peace.

BIBLE READING: Psalm 3:1-8
KEY BIBLE VERSE: I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. (Psalm 3:4-5)

PEACE IS THE BY-PRODUCT OF DEPENDENCE ON GOD

Sleep does not come easily during a crisis. David could have had sleepless nights when his son Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him. But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion. What made the difference? David cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. The assurance of answered prayer brings peace. It is easier to sleep well when we have full assurance that God is in control of circumstances. If you are lying awake at night worrying about circumstances you can’t change, pour out your heart to God, and thank him that he is in control. Then sleep will come.

BIBLE READING: Luke 21:1-38
KEY BIBLE VERSE: When all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near! (Luke 21:28)

COMPLETE PEACE WILL ONLY COME WHEN CHRIST RETURNS

The picture of the coming persecutions and natural disasters is gloomy, but ultimately it is cause not for worry, but for great joy. When believers see these events happening, they will know that the return of their Messiah is near, and they can look forward to his reign of justice and peace. Rather than being terrified by what is happening in our world, we should confidently await Christ’s return to bring justice and restoration to his people.

GOD’S WORD ON PEACE

At the heart of peace is harmony. To be at peace with someone-whether a neighbor, a family member, or God-is to be in a harmonious relationship with them. When we ask Christ to cleanse us of our sin and make us new creations, we are asking for peace, a new harmonious relationship with our Creator.

GOD IS THE TRUE SOURCE OF PEACE

• Psalm 3:5 . . . I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
• Psalm 4:8 . . . I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
• Psalm 29:11 . . . The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
• Psalm 32:7 . . . You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
• Philippians 4:7 . . . If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

HOW CAN WE GET PEACE FROM GOD?

• Psalm 34:14 . . . Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.  God’s peace comes when we turn from sin to God.
• Isaiah 26:3 . . . You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!  God’s peace comes when you trust in God to be with you in all your problems and when you keep your thoughts fixed on him.
• Psalm 37:11 . . . Those who are gentle and lowly will possess the land; they will live in prosperous security.  God’s peace comes when we humble ourselves before the Lord.
• Psalm 119:165 . . . Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.  God’s peace comes when we love God’s Word.
• Luke 2:14 . . . Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.  God’s peace comes when we please God!
• Galatians 5:22 . . . When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: . . . peace.  God’s peace comes when we cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
• Romans 2:10 . . . There will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good.
  God’s peace comes when we obey God.

PEACE INVOLVES DEALING WITH CONFLICT APPROPRIATELY

• Jeremiah 29:7 . . . Work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon.
• Matthew 5:9 . . . God blesses those who work for peace.
• Isaiah 43:2 . . . When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.  Peace is not always the absence of conflict. God calls us to pursue peace, which involves hard work.

HOW DO WE MAKE PEACE WITH OTHERS?

• 2 Corinthians 13:11 . . . Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.  Working hard at ridding sin from our own lives while diligently building others up helps achieve peace.
• Ephesians 4:3 . . . Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.
  Seek the unity that comes from the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 12:17-19 . . . Never pay back evil for evil to anyone . . . Do your part to live in peace with everyone.  If you harbor feelings of revenge in your heart, you cannot be at peace with others.
• James 3:17-18 . . . The wisdom that comes from heaven . . . is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.  Commit yourself to the good deeds that are the mark of a true peacemaker.

PROMISES FROM GOD:

• Leviticus 26:6 . . . I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep without fear. God will give you peace.
• Isaiah 26:3 . . . You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!
  Trusting in God brings peace.
• John 14:27 . . . I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart.  God will give you peace.

Please stay tuned for more.