Peace is a precious gift, yet many people don’t have it. They’re stressed about today, worried about tomorrow, and regretful of the past.
Their lack of peace is peace is understandable. We live in an age of anxiety. Trials and troubles afflict us all and who knows what tomorrow may bring?
We all crave peace, but where do we get it? Some religions tell you that peace comes from within, from stilling yourself and letting go.
Yeah, right.
I don’t know about you, but I have never been able to generate lasting peace. I can fake peace, but not for long. Often, I feel like I’m a little boat riding on a tempest.
The good news is we can have peace. Here’s how.
How to have peace
In Romans, Paul says some wonderful things about peace, such as:
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:33)
In a world troubled by fear and anxiety, God releases his shalom-peace. Peace does not come from ourselves. It comes from the God of peace who releases peace and joy by making broken things right and all things new.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father… (Romans 1:7)
The peace you and I both need comes from God our Father and we receive it by receiving his grace. Grace encompasses all of God’s blessings, while peace is the fruit of receiving his grace.
Don’t let this nugget pass you by. Peace is a gift to receive, not something to manufacture. Sadly, this is a truth many people do not know.
…the path of peace they have not known. (Romans 3:17)
Paul quotes Isaiah when he says humanity’s history is a woeful tale of injustice, oppression, and violence. Humanity seems stuck in an endless cycle of conflict and trouble. We pillage creation to fuel our lust for more. We tread on those who get in our way and we steal and kill to get what we want. If only there was a way to break the cycle.
Peace follows righteousness
In the old covenant, people prayed that God would bless and give them peace (Num. 6:24–26). In the new covenant, that prayer is answered. The Son reveals that God the Father has blessed you and given you his peace.
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
In the kingdom of God, peace always follows righteousness. When we submit to the righteousness of God, our spirits abound in peace and joy.
The problem is that many people don’t submit to God’s righteousness. They don’t submit because they have not heard about the righteousness of God, which brings peace.
In context, Paul was talking about strife in the church and different viewpoints regarding meat and Sabbath keeping (see Rom. 14:1–5). When the peace of God rules our hearts, we will not be troubled by a brother or sister who has different convictions about food and special days. We will not look down on them as weak or inferior, but we will accept them and seek to build them up in the faith (Rom. 14:19).
Finally:
…the mind set on the spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
If your mind is full of worldly concerns—your appearance, political intrigue, magazine gossip, job security, the doctor’s report—you will be anxious and depressed. But fill your mind with your Father’s good thoughts towards you, and you will be at peace.
Blessed are the peacemakers
Do you know the peace of God? If so, you have something to the world desperately needs.
We make peace by proclaiming the gospel of peace and revealing the way of peace, which leads us to the God of peace who gives us life and peace.
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If you liked this, you will love my new book on Romans. It comes out next month and is available for pre-order on Kindle. Advance copies are available now on Patreon.
