Living Peace

Once we receive peace from God, it cannot be taken away from us.  I know this may sound a little crazy, but it's true.  Once we come home to the Father through the Son and receive the Holy Spirit, no one can take the Holy Spirit away from us.  We are able to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  Through the power of the Spirit we are able to put to death the deed of the body (our rebellious actions against God) (Romans 8:10-13).  We can, through the power of God's Spirit, choose words that are a gift to those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).  We can turn over, place by place, our hearts to God and allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15).  Finally, when we pray, we can turn over those things that steal our peace and the peace of God will guard our minds and our hearts (Philippians 4:6-7).  We can live a lifestyle of peace (2 Corinthians 13:11) (Philippians 4:8-9).

How about you?  Do you live peace?

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation--but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:10-13 NIV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 NIV)

Receiving Peace

Jesus statement about bringing division makes much more sense when you look at the rest of his teachings. Jesus said he was the way, the truth and the life - no one comes to the Father except through him. When Jesus came here and wrapped Himself in human flesh, he came to provide the way for humanity to come home to the Father. In doing this, He offered a gift to us all - the gift of forgiveness, the gifts of reconciliation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is given to us because we need help, wisdom, and protection from the enemy who seeks to separate us from God.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet... (Romans 16:20 NIV)

This is God's plan. The problem with this plan is that it does not save everyone. It only offers to save everyone. We have to choose, however, whether we want to be with God or not. God puts the decision in our hands. When we listen to God and follow His wisdom, we are walking with God. When we don't, we ignore God and fight against His direction. This rebellion is called sin. When we sin, we set ourselves up as God's enemies. There are only two solutions to being enemies. One is death. The other is surrender. Since we are setting ourselves up as enemies to God, we are the ones who will die. God always wins. The only other possibility is if God will accept our surrender. Jesus is God's way of telling us, "yes."

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:13-18 NIV)

Jesus is our white flag. Jesus provides a way for us to surrender. Jesus is the way we can return to the Father and walk together with God. Through Jesus, we can receive peace with God.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV)

How about you? Have you received peace with God?

Jesus and Peace

It can be confusing to pursue peace, especially when Jesus himself seemed to teach against it.

"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." (Luke 12:49-53 NIV)

How can we, as Christ followers, pursue peace when our Lord and savior seems to say that we will not have peace? It's simple. We don't stop there. Jesus had much more to say on on the subject.

Jesus regularly brought peace into the conversation as he ministered to people. They would come to him because he was feeding people, healing people, or just working cool miracles they wanted to see. Often times the miracles were healing from physical ailments. As a part of the physical healing process, however, Jesus regularly pointed out the need for spiritual healing. He would give them that spiritual healing as well. The result was peace.

"Your faith has healed (saved) you. Go in peace." (Luke 7:50; 8:48 NIV)

Jesus didn't desire for people to not have peace. He simply acknowledged that they didn't have peace. Not only that, he acknowledged that they wouldn't have peace...without him.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)

We will spend more time on this tomorrow. Today, however, I am simply going to say this. Jesus wants us to have peace. That is why he came here and wrapped His divinity in humanity. This is why he taught us. This is why he laid down his life. When he ascended into heaven, this is why he sent His Spirit back to us. He wants to give us peace.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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 14:26-27 NIV)

How about you? Were you confused by Jesus' teachings about peace? Does it make more sense now? Are you confident that Jesus wants you to have peace?

Pursuing Peace

There is no doubt that God wants us to experience peace in our minds, hearts, and lives. This is why it is described as the fruit of God's Spirit. The Spirit leads us to peace.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6 NIV)

This is why Jesus told his disciples that they would be different. He told them that the world will know that they are His disciples by their love. When we love one another, we show the world what it looks like to be followers of Christ.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 NIV)

Even when we get distracted by other gifts God has given us, we can still be people of love and peace. God gives us gifts through the power of His Spirit, but those gifts are never forced on us. We choose whether we will enjoy and exercise those gifts for their intended purpose. God lets us choose, even after we originally chose to come home to the Father through the Son and received the Holy Spirit.

The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace... (1 Corinthians 14:32-33 NIV)

God's intended purpose for our gifts is simple: build up His Body. The Church should be a safe place for all to come. It should also be filled with people who want to draw near to God, use God's gifts for God's glory, and who desire to make disciples of all nations. Our gifts should build up the Body of Christ. When we do, we experience peace.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19 NIV)

You see, peace becomes a kind of barometer for us all. When we are walking together with God, we experience peace. When we sin, we do not have peace. When we are tempted, we do not experience peace. When we are spiritually attacked, we do not feel peace. Peace is something we must pursue. When we do, we achieve much more than peace.

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must...seek peace pursue it... (1 Peter 3:10-12 NIV)

So how about you? Do you experience peace? Is the Church a place that builds you up and helps you find peace? Do you pursue peace?

Peace

Last week was challenging enough. Deciding to "choose joy" in all circumstances can be tricky, especially when the circumstances, or the people, seem bound and determined to steal our joy. But, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God gives us what we need to choose joy. This week will be just as challenging.

But the fruit of the Spirit is...peace... (Galatians 5:22 NIV)

Peace is a concept we find so often in Scripture that we will only be able to scratch the surface of the passages throughout this week. I remember going to church services as a child. Part of the service included a time when we were instructed to offer a greeting of peace to one another. We were following the pattern Jesus followed:

Jesus..stood among them and said..."Peace be with you." (Luke 24:36 NIV)

Once again, I am reminded that my priorities are not always God's priorities. My priorities could easily take me to a place where I am read to fight to be right. My priorities may take me to a place of "righteous anger." My priorities can easily lead me away from a place of joy or peace. But God's priorities show me that righteousness always lead me to love, joy, and peace...

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit... (Romans 14:17-18 NIV)

So how about you? Were you raised with a reminder that peace is important? Is peace a priority in your life? Do you experience peace?