Day 15: Gospel of Peace

There are three facets of peace: peace with those around us, peace within ourselves, and peace with God. External peace is something to pray for and something to work for. Peace within is achieved when ones' stated values and actions are congruent (perfectly aligned at every point)…that's also something to work hard toward Peace within might be what’s left when we banish fear. But, peace with God is not something we can achieve on our own. In fact, we can't contribute to it at all. Peace with God, being reconciled with Him, is an unmerited blessing He gives through Jesus Christ His son (Rom 5:1-2). It is a gift we receive...one that is worthy of a thankful heart.

The Old Testament book Leviticus details five different types of sacrifices the Hebrew people were to make to God (burnt offering, meal offering, sin offering, trespass offering, and peace offering). The peace offering was voluntary and, if offered, was offered last. It was the only offering from which the worshiper would personally eat. It was a thankful celebration that “all is well” between the worshiper and God almighty. That's certainly a reason to celebrate! But, how does peace with God impact my response to the “rest of my life?” How does peace with God impact my internal peace and peace with those around me?

John 16:33 [Jesus said] “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.” (NET)

Christ said His disciples could have peace “in Him.” He said this after giving them the bad news that their group (close friends they had lived with for three plus years) was about to be scattered and they would abandon Him. That must have been disturbing especially with the promise of trouble and suffering to come. But, for all believers with an eternal perspective which the Holy Spirit gives us, peace reigns by the knowledge that “I [Christ] have conquered the world.” In Christ, we cannot lose. In Christ, we are reconciled with the God of all creation. With an eternal mindset, no external threat is truly significant.

Rom 5:10: For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by His life? (NET)

Before Christ, we were guaranteed to eventually kneel before God as captive enemies. We were in hopeless conflict with God, an unbeatable foe. Now, in Christ, we come before God completely reconciled. God, who previously was our biggest threat, now jealously guards us as His own (John 10:28-30).

So, back to our internal peace. I think that's what Paul is talking about in Romans 5:10 (above) when he says “saved by His life.” Christ's death bought us peace with God, our judge. Christ's resurrection means we can walk a new life in the Spirit, in peace (Rom 8:5-11). Christ lived a perfect life in perfect harmony with the will of God. Being “in Christ” means we can claim that life as our own (2 Cor 5:21). Our heart, which was hardened by sin and previously declared us guilty, can now cherish the good news that we are perfect in Christ...even when we don't feel that way.

Near the beginning of Christ’s sermon from the mountain, He says:

Matt 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. (NET)

What might be the logical connection between being a peacemaker and being called “the children of God?”

Jesus greeted His disciples, “Peace be to you.” The apostles prayed peace upon their readers and celebrated our “peace in Christ” nearly 100 times in New Testament epistles. ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ, “As-salamu alaykum” remains the traditional greeting among Muslims, and for Hebrews, Shalom aleichem...Peace be upon you. Christians in the Arab world also use this greeting. For Buddhism, the pursuit of “tranquility” is essential on the path to Nirvana. Peace is a big deal to us humans…and has been since Adam and Eve were banished from the garden.

Our Equipping