LESSON 9 THE PEACE OF GOD
There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Psalm 38:3, 4
But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isaiah 57:20, 21
Source of peace:
Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:2
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:20
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
Fruit of peace:
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Galatians 5:22
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us, and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us. 1 John 4:18 TLB
Fear—(To be put in fear); alarm or fright.
For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear—Timid, dread, by implication faithless.
“Sound mind”
To have a sound mind means a calm and well balanced mind and discipline and self-control and wise discretion.
That which overcomes the fear mentioned in 1 John 4:18 and in 2 Timothy 1:7 is the peace gained from a knowledge of sin’s forgiven and a life empowered by God, which develops a life of love and harmony with the very God of peace.
How to gain peace:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
See—Know, be acquainted with, and experience.
The peace of God is only experienced by being born again (regenerated and renewed) into the kingdom of peace and righteousness.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Romans 14:17, 18
[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men. Romans 14:17, 18 AMP
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
What is this new heart, this born again experience that brings peace?
When Jesus speaks of the new heart of being born again, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives, and the sign of a new heart of being born again is a changed life.
Jesus is our peace:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
“In me you might have peace”
I have told you all this so that you may find your peace in me. You will find trouble in the world—but, never lose heart, I have conquered the world! John 16:33 Phillips
Christ is everything to us including our peace. And as we have learned in previous studies Christ is our righteousness, our redemption, our sanctification and our wisdom. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30.)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29, 30
Rest—Intermission, by implication recreation. To repose to refresh. Quiet; repose; a state free from motion or disturbance; a state of reconciliation to God.
You will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. Matthew 11:29 AMP
The rest offered to us by Jesus is but another name for the peace of God that passeth all understanding. The rest, the peace that comes from a relationship with Christ is solely the result of a trusting, loving and obedient relationship with our Savior, Master and friend.
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Job 22:21
Acquaint —To be familiar with, be serviceable to.
Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you. Job 22:21 AMP
The counsel above in Job is applicable to all, and for all time. For peace comes only as we know and love God and submit ourselves in willing obedience to His will and way. Job was misunderstood and falsely accused by friends, and did not fully understand the troubles he was passing through. Job’s understanding regarding God’s relationship to his sufferings was not clear, yet he ever maintained his trust and hope in God. Thus in the midst of trial and heartache, his love and trust in God provided strength, peace and hope even when others considered him hopeless. Thus he could say, “though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15).
How to maintain peace:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6, 7
Prayer—In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for His mercies and benefits.
Supplication—Entreaty; humble and earnest prayer in worship. Petition; earnest request.
Thanksgiving—Gratitude; grateful language (to God, as an act of worship).
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6, 7 AMP
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18
If only you had listened to my commands! Then blessings would have flowed for you like a stream that never goes dry. Isaiah 48:18 TEV
Oh, that you had hearkened to My commandments! Then your peace and prosperity would have been like a flowing river, and your righteousness [the holiness and purity of the nation] like the [abundant] waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18 AMP
God intends that His peace might be in us ever flowing as a life-giving river. Obedience and peace cannot be separated and both are the result of knowing God. For all true obedience comes from the heart softened by the love of Christ.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Stayed—To lean upon or take hold of.
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Isaiah 26:3 AMP
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165
Peace—Safe, i.e. figurative well, happy, friendly, welfare, i.e. health prosperity, peace.
Love—To have affection for.
Those who love your law have perfect security, and there is nothing that can make them fall. Psalm 119:165 TEV
Those who love your laws have great peace of heart and mind and do not stumble. Psalm 119:165 TLB
Great peace is the result of loving the Lawgiver, and the laws and commands of God are a reflection of His character and will. So then, we seek to be in harmony with God’s law and counsel as the fruit of our love for God, and His love in us.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6
To be spiritually minded is simply to mind or obey the leadings of God’s Spirit and the counsel of His Word.
Close:
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14
Seeking peace involves departing from evil this is why the peace makers and those involved in conflict resolution accomplish relatively little for the issue of evil is not dealt with.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15
The reason there is so little peace is that God does not rule in our hearts. Will you stop opposing God in your own life, thus letting the peace of God have rule? This is His purpose for you. May you know the peace of God this day.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Books
LTBS - Section 1
LTBS - Section 2
LTBS - Section 3
LTBS - Section 4
LTBS - Section 5
LTBS - Section 6
LTBS - Section 7
LTBS - Section 8
LTBS - Section 9
LTBS - Section 10
© 2012 Bible Alive Ministries. World rights reserved.
Permissions:You are welcome to make additional copies of content found on this site, for teaching purposes only, or to share with family or friends.
Conditions: Provided that you do not alter the content, inclusive of producers name, and contact information, and website address remaining on any printed, audio or video content. All other forms of reproduction or electronic transmission all existing copyright laws apply. For questions please use the contact form provided on this web site.