Peace                 Romans 5:1

Do we have, or have we ever had, world peace??? At the moment, according to the UN, we have approximately 110 conflicts going on across this world. There seems to be a distinct lack of peace.

Nation against Nation

Within nations

Within families

In churches

With individuals

Peace = a stress-free state of security, a calmness that comes when there is no fighting or wars, everything coexists in perfect harmony and freedom. As Christians, we know it is much more than even this.

Today we will look at the two types of peace we have in God’s Word.

·       Peace with God

·       Peace of God

PEACE WITH GOD

Romans 5:1     Example: “Make peace with your God.” Remember, the opposite of peace is conflict. We are/were all in “conflict” with God the Father due to our sin. Most people still don’t know about or understand their condition. It is our job to help them understand. Humans were made to live in peace with God, but sin got in the road.

Romans 5:1 explained:

·       Justification

·       By faith

·       Peace (no conflict with God)

·       Through Jesus Christ

One way to understand this better is to think of it not like two countries at war (God loves us) BUT as a spiritual reconciliation between our Heavenly Father and his wayward child. Prodigal Son--- Love of the Father.

Do YOU have peace with God? Are you still warring/fighting/blaming/ignoring God? Have you been reconciled to God through the work of Jesus Christ?

What is stopping you?? The price has been paid.   Q. I do not believe God because……..

PEACE OF GOD

Once we have made peace with God, spiritual peace, then we get the Peace of God. This is the emotional peace; peace in your mind; peace in your heart.

The peace that we all need to get us through this life on earth.

This peace is more that just calmness and tranquility; it is God given and surpasses ALL understanding, supernatural.

It is different from the world’s peace. The world’s peace is built on compromise and circumstances.

Compromise may only bring temporary peace and when circumstances change, peace goes. Example: The nation which is doing well may have peace……. God’s peace endures forever, or should do.

Let look at some verses about God’s peace. It comes from Him.

John 14:27 God’s peace.   2 Thessalonians 3:16 God gives peace.

But how can we get this peace?……

Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Isaiah 26:3; Psalms 34:14

Who can have this peace?    Romans 12:18

Q. What about Matthew 10:34-36?

Is this a contradictory passage to what we have seen this morning???

·       Context to this passage

·       To the earth, not believers

·       Results of the truth of the Gospel

·       It will happen to you IF you speak about Jesus; if you follow Jesus.

Conclusion

So folks, do you/we have the peace of God in our lives? Galatians 5:22 states it is a fruit of the Spirit, so we should have it, display it. Peace is a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father, freely available.

You may have been struggling in 2023 or the struggle has been for all of your life.  First, make peace with God and be justified through Jesus Christ. Then, seek out the peace of God and rest in Him. It just may be one of the biggest revelations you have. Going from a life of worry/anxiety, your mind racing with thoughts you don’t want, to a place where your mind and heart are at peace; true peace, Gods peace.