THE TRUE MEANING OF PEACE

While nations of earth develop weapons of warfare and destruction, individual men desire the blessings of peace. The cost of peace cannot be measured in terms of money. Our nation spends many billions each year with a vital interest in peace.  Our military forces are alert around the clock to guard and keep peace in the world.  

  A political commentator recently said that men long for peace but have no plans to achieve it. The pages of history record the battles between nations.  Peace always seems to elude man, like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  It was not always so, of course, for there was a time when the sunshine of God’s peace shone brightly upon man.  It existed when man was right with God. 

  Created in the likeness and image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), man happily enjoyed a personal and peaceful relationship with Him.  He walked and talked with God in hallowed fellowship.  Man’s peace with God in the early dawn of human history was as calm and serene as an inland lake never touched by a breeze. The fellowship that Adam and Eve knew in Eden’s perfect Paradise expressed itself in supreme happiness in obeying every word of their benign Creator. 

  God loved man so much that He said to him, “Of every tree of the garden you may eat freely” (Gen. 2:16). However, He stipulated that man may not “Eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:17).

  It was only right and proper for God to test man’s faithfulness and love in this way to see if man would honor and obey Him willingly.  God could have created man as a robot so that he would obediently respond without freedom of will. The Lord, however, wanted man to worship Him without using the rod of coercion. Part of man’s nature is his right to make a choice.  The Lord wanted to see if man would use his power of choice wisely.  

  Man failed in his probation.  The wonderful fellowship was broken. Man sinned against God as recorded in Romans 5:12: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

  Man’s failure to obey God brought fear of God. Adam ate of the forbidden tree, choosing foolishly to side with Satan against God. As a result, man slid into shame and separation from God. The peaceful relationship came to an abrupt end. 

  From that time until now, man’s pathway has been marked by sin, rebellion, fear and frustration.  While man groped miserably in his bereft plight of disobedience, God promised Adam and Eve, a Savior who would champion man’s cause in Redemptive mercy.   Here are the words of the promise, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). 

  Man’s need for salvation from sin was highlighted through the institution of the sacrificial system. Each lamb, goat, or bullock slain in sacrifice, would point to the coming Redeemer.

The ultimate fulfillment of each sacrifice would be realized in Christ’s substitutionary death upon the cross for man’s sins. Redemption in type is seen in Genesis 3:21, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins and clothed them.”  The thrilling drama of redemption is pictured in the Old Testament sacrifices, which anticipated the greatest of all sacrifices. The Son of God Himself would come according to the purpose of God to take away the sins of people everywhere. The result would be that man again might have peace with God.

  The provision for peace hinged upon God’s faithfulness to His promises.  One word which might sum up the Old Testament is “Preparation.”  In the Old Testament, Christ is anticipated.  The word “Proclamation” might sum up the New Testament which begins by announcing Christ’s birth, God’s step to initiate salvation.  “And she shall bring forth a son and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

  Isaiah, a prince, prophet and patriot—the greatest of the writing prophets—spoke of the reality of the restlessness of the man without God’s peace.  “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isa. 57:20-21). Such is the plight of those who stubbornly refuse the proffered peace of God. 

  Conversely, the great prophet wrote of the happiness of those who receive the gift of God’s peace. “The word of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isa. 32:17). 

  This peace which derives from righteousness expresses the thrilling truth of the gospel. The incarnation of the Son of God was hallowed with the theme of peace.  The joyful angelic host said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on  earth peace goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). Our Lord is called “The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Acts 3:15 refers to Christ as “the Prince of Life.” Out of His abounding grace, He gives life and peace to all who receive Him by faith. The letters of the Apostle Paul follow through with this tremendous theme of peace.  “For he (Jesus) is our peace, …to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; …And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh” (Eph. 2:14-15, 17). While we know our Lord to be the greatest Teacher, we ought also to think upon Him as the greatest Preacher.  He preached to Jew and Gentile alike; He united them with cords of peace.

  The glorious peace of righteousness becomes a reality by the vicarious death of Christ on the cross for our sins. It opened up the redemptive fountain of God’s marvelous grace and satisfied the demands of God’s righteous throne in full so that we might be saved from sin’s lethal guilt and penalty.  

  In the New Testament, the word for “peace” means the tranquil state of the soul assured of salvation through Christ. “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). A. T. Robertson stated, “Let us enjoy peace with God.” Peace with God becomes the basis for the peace of God.  “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). 

  Peace with God comes from God’s justifying grace.  The peace of God is that moment-by-moment sustaining grace which assures our hearts that all is well; God is in control of every situation.  

  A London newspaper ran a contest seeking the best definition of money.  This definition won the prize.  “Money is an article of exchange which may be used as a passport to any place except Heaven and purchase everything except happiness.”  What man cannot earn salvation by good works or purchase with money God gives freely—happiness in peace of heart and mind (Isa. 55:1; Rom. 3:24). 

  An art association had a contest for the best picture on calmness. First place went to a picture of a robin sitting on her nest in a tree near the thunderous Niagara Falls. The peace of God gives serenity of soul amid the clanking noises of the world. 

  A right relationship with God provides three essential needs within the Christian life.  First, it gives a balanced perspective of life’s true character and nature. The world has been described as a passing parade.  It will always blight us and never bless us. This perspective will give us triumph in trials. 

  Second, a right relationship with God assures God’s eternal provisions. Trusting in God’s unfailing grace for eternal life gives peace.  What God has promised He will perform. He will honor His Word always (Num. 23:19; Tit. 1:2). 

  Third, a right relationship with God provides strength to meet everyday problems.  We can claim the promise that “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim. 1:7). This relationship produces “perfect peace,” meaning peaceful peace (Isa. 26:3), which is a present  abundant possession (Rom. 5:1; I Pet. 1:2).  

  As recipients of God’s peace, let us rejoice in exulting praise to God:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with lovingkindness, and tender mercies; who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:2—5).