What about Peace?

Strong and Courageous

July 27^th,2018

Last week we talked about some of the benefits of being Kingdom people with having the Holy Spirit reside within us. One of the benefits mentioned was having the peace of God in our lives. This week I would like to look further into what this peace actually means.

If you were to ask many Christians, what peace with God means, they would reply that it is an emotional position where there is absence of conflict and their heart is at rest, and I would be in agreement with them. However, this is only a partial answer to what this peace is.

Peace is much more than a feel good emotion. There is a unique aspect that we are in a “position” of peace, whether our life is serene or storm clouds are looming over us metaphorically speaking. The Christian life is one of being set free from condemnation and the curse of sin because of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.

 We have become righteous, not in our own strength but rather in relying on Christ. We are a free people indeed.

Terry Virgo, pioneer of the New Frontiers movement describes this in terms of the Exodus of God’s people while in Egypt. He explains that “the blood of the lamb that was placed on door posts was for the purpose of God seeing it. It was not there for the Jewish neighbors to see and be comforted by. It was for the angel of the Lord to pass over that home.” Virgo goes on to say that “this is a foreshadow of the sacrifice that Jesus has made on our behalf. God sees the blood of Christ and is satisfied with that sacrifice. Therefore, we have peace, because God is pleased with our righteousness in Christ.” How cool is that? We have this peace all of the time, in spite of all of the possibilities of negative circumstances being present in our lives.

The New Testament has over 90 references to this peace that we have described. I have listed some of the texts here. Look at these verses in the context of “positional peace” and you will see the tremendous blessings that we have by believing and trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Luke 1:79

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace

Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 20:21

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Acts 10:36

As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

Romans 5:1

[ Peace with God Through Faith ] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.