Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Peace of God

Philippians 4:6-9

There is a difference in making your peace with God and having the peace of God. When someone accepts Christ and His forgiveness, they have “made their peace with God”. As life goes on, many of these who have made peace with God find that there is no peace in their hearts. This is not to be blamed on Jesus, the Prince of Peace, for His work is a finished work; so why do we feel this absence of God’s peace?

Paul said for the believer to be “careful for nothing”, which means “anxious” in Greek. Instead of having anxiety and worries over our lives, we should cover everything with “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” as we let God know what we need (Philippians 4:6). When we live a life of thanksgiving, quick to thank God in spite of our circumstances, we have the peace of God, “which passeth all understanding”. This peace keeps our hearts and our minds at rest in Jesus.

Jesus said to the woman that washed his feet with her tears, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:50). This woman had just been commended by Jesus for her acknowledgment of sins forgiven. She knew how forgiven that she was, thus she showed Jesus great love. Many want to “love God more”, but they have no knowledge as to how forgiven that they are. When you get a sense of His wonderful mercy and forgiveness for you, you naturally love God more.

The knowledge of your forgiveness and the peace of God go hand in hand. This woman knew who she was in Christ and this empowered her to live a life of peace. If you walk in this revelation, your peace will increase, and you may not even understand how. When you begin to show this calmness and peace in your workplace or your home, people may even question you as to why you are not worried, when everyone else seems to be worried. You can tell them of Jesus and His love for you, but not even that will explain to them how you are at peace. This is because the peace of God “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Paul goes on to tell the church to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report (Philippians 4:8). When you focus your thinking on the beauty of Christ and His finished work instead of you and your circumstances, you are dwelling on the things that lead to peace. Continue on in the mighty grace and favor that you are learning about, as Paul said, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

Please dwell on Isaiah 53:5 that tells us that Jesus was chastised for our peace, which means that Jesus was disciplined so that you and I could have peace. His discipline was not for His failures but for ours. He took your punishment so that you can be at peace with God. Hallelujah!

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