Someone said, “If your inner mind is not deceived, your outer actions won’t be wrong.”
There is a lot of peace talks these days and the more of these photo-ops we see as peace agreements are signed, the more skeptical we become that the peace will hold or that the one’s signing have any ability to assure a positive outcome of any kind. Is peace just the absence of war? If all wars were to stop overnight, would that be real peace? That is what we have come to believe in this fractious and often tumultuous world.
A government official stands up and declares all is well now because the war has died down and there are not as many casualties; therefore, peace looks promising. Although this type of peace is necessary to survive on this planet it is not what Jesus meant when He said He would give us His peace. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The reality of that peace package upon return from the peaceful holiday to the real word is the stressed life starts all over again. Gated communities are sold the world over as peaceful homes, settings and landscapes so that the occupants can live in a state of perpetual peace from the ugly outside world. Yet real peace is not found in the surrounding wall of an estate. Eze. 13:10 Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash.
When real peace is established in the hearts and minds of the people who have accepted Jesus’ eternal peace, the result of using the Lord’s peace as a standard brings real choices of reconciliation and forgiveness rather than revenge and another round of warfare. Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Lord’s peace in us will teach us to keep peace because God’s peace, as the scripture says, is guarding our hearts and minds. If we have peace in our hearts and minds, then our actions will correspond with the blessed peace at work within each one of us.
Real peace from God will give us faith-filled boldness that can move mountains and extend grace to people who have lost their peace in life. It is God’s desire that we live, promote and bring peace to every situation in need of God’s peace so that all may know the blessed hope that is possible for everyone who desires peace in life and in their hearts. Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Henry David Thoreau once wrote, 'For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root'. Thank God, Jesus struck at the root; He is our peace!
Thanks Norm, another great article.
Very good blog Norm
May God Bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you, and give you peace.