Peace from God

Ephesians 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Two types of Peace

In this verse, Paul mentions about peace from two sources – God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ. To imply that this blessing is important we can see a very similar greeting Paul uses in Romans 1:7. We need to understand the differences between these two sources of Peace and how we honor them.

Pro 16:7 says “When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” Psalm 85:8 and many other verses point to the same fact.

But in John 14:27 “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.” This verse is an answer Jesus gives to Judas (not Iscariot) when asked about Jesus’ manifestation to believers and not to the world.

I would translate this as Peace from God the father is peace we receive because of obedience. Peace from Jesus is peace we receive as a result of our faith.

Heavenly Peace vs earthly peace

In the above verse, we can see that Jesus mentioning that the peace from Jesus is very different from the peace the world gives. The world gives us peace that looks like a possible solution. Peace from above is very different.

Philippians 4:7 “Peace from God that transcends all understanding”. This is an important aspect of peace we receive from God. If we are peaceful because of our logical satisfaction of things around us, then that peace is not from God. If we believe that something in our life would happen because it would normally do, then there is no faith there.

Let Peace Rule

Colossians 3:15 Let this peace rule in your hearts. Like a government that runs every other organization, the object that controls our emotions, words, works and everything else should be this peace. The peace that follows Christ even if nothing that is possible can be foreseen.

If we compare phi 4:7 and col 3:15 together, this peace should rule inside and outside us just like a government runs the army and the police.

As we read in the list of fruits of the spirit, Peace is mentioned as one fruit. If we are really saved, just like love, peace would be one character in us which grows up slowly and then controls us properly.  

As we all know in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The names wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of Peace comes in an order where the birth of Jesus was wonderful, he started his ministry by counseling, and he displayed his might on the cross by saving us, then he does a fatherly role (Luke 11:11) by giving us the Holy Spirit which we really need at this time and at last he rules as the Prince of Peace. This peaceful kingdom is the final outcome. Also, we can see its mention in the sentence “And the government will be upon His shoulder”. Also, in the whole set of 5 characters of Jesus, only the last one carries a result or fruit that is Peace.

Reading Philippians 4:7 again “will Guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. If we do not possess this peace that comes from trusting God, then the chances of our sinning is very less and we would stay in Christ Jesus.  This verse should be memorized and be preached throughout Christendom. This is one area where almost every Christian fails.

In John 16:33, Jesus mentions that the revelation Jesus gave to them about the future is that we should have peace during our tribulation. The reason for every encouragement God gives us is that we should live peacefully without anxiety. (1 Pet 5:7). The method to follow is also in this verse John 16:33: remembering that Jesus overcame the world.

Pursue Peace

A similar quote is in James 3:18. “Peacemakers who sow in peace will reap in righteousness”. If we strive to maintain peace, especially those who work for God, will reap righteousness in their ministry. That is, everybody we are responsible for will be righteous men. Similarly, Proverbs 12:20 and Psalm 34:14 points to the fact that the opposite of evil is peace. If we are promoting peace, then we are opposing evil making the world a better place.

Peace in Heaven

The peace we enjoy now is one important thing that fills the heaven. (Romans 14:17). When we reach heaven all we would hear is that “Holy, Holy, Holy”. All other characteristics of God are exalted in earth. But in heaven, all angels and elders would be always telling that God is Holy, Holy and Holy. We would look stupid if we had spent all our efforts looking for money, fame or other earthly things when in eternity holiness only matters. God would be so pure that we would just cry that He is holy, holier and even holy. It is important that we learn that the highest priority is for holiness in Christian life.

Peace is a target, a fruit and a reward that helps us towards holiness.