True Peace

True Peace

Who doesn’t want peace? We all want peace. Peace on Earth. Peace and goodwill toward mankind. Peace throughout the day. Peace for tomorrow. What is the source of peace? The perfect way to ask that question is, “Who is the source of peace?” John 14:27, Jesus said that he is the source of peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

But is one reason we ask for peace from God due to any selfish reason? What is “selfish peace”? Asking for peace for just one. A couple of examples include, do we want peace to “escape” the drama of life? Do we want peace to ease our suffering? This is difficult to swallow.

But the Bible promises peace that surpasses all understanding. Peace that transcends. Philippians 4:17 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways … For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This is why his ways are higher than our ways.

If we can’t understand his ways, how then, can we fully experience God’s peace?

Faith. Simple faith. The author of Hebrews said, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” You can’t see faith. Like the wind, you can only see the effects of the wind. You can only see the effects of faith. Of peace. Peace in our hearts.

God called King David, “… a man after God’s own heart.” While on this earth, we will never fully understand God’s ways. But do we strive to be men and women “after God’s own heart”? Do we abide in him? Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you.” All that Jesus offers, including peace, is for the asking when we abide in him.

Another important question is, “What are God’s ways?” Does the Bible give any indication? Jesus gave us a glimpse of that answer when he taught his disciples how to pray:

“Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” (Matt. 6:9-13)

What does this tell us about God’s heart, his ways? His ways are kingdom ways. We will not understand the “how” of his kingdom ways, but at least we know that his ways are kingdom ways. This also takes faith. “Your kingdom com,e your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” He desires for us to experience his kingdom forever. When does that “forever” begin? For those who call Jesus Lord and Savior, it starts here on earth. His kingdom is here now. Being built one believer at a time. And peace is one of the many blessings experienced in his kingdom. But while we are still on earth, our flesh can be an obstruction to experiencing his peace.

But when we ask for peace, is it for a selfish reason, or for kingdom reasons?

Jesus also instructed us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Notice the plural pronoun “us.” Jesus wants us to pray for “daily bread” for those on earth, for the community of believers. This is not a selfish prayer. And what is “daily bread”? Food? Yes. And also, spiritual food. What is “spiritual food”? His Word. When we read his Word, we receive spiritual food. The Word of God, his Bible, contains an infinite amount of spiritual food. It is reasonable to conclude that when the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians the list of the fruits of the Spirit, “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” that he presented them with a menu of spiritual food. Peace is on that menu. And God’s peace is eternal.

That eternal peace can be received now on earth. The Psalmist David wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Notice the psalm as a prayer. David says that his shepherd (his Lord God), comforts with his rod and staff. In ancient times, this is imagery for a shepherd guiding his sheep. The sheep know their shepherd and his tools of the trade to provide guidance. David goes onto say, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Doesn’t the image of a green pastures provide a sense of peace? The mention of “still waters” is exceptionally profound because sheep, by nature, do not drink from a fast-moving stream. In fact, a sea or rough waters was seen as chaotic. And the evil one brings chaos to this earth. Jesus brings the opposite: order and peace. Even amid chaos, our good shepherd provides peace.

While we are here on this broken earth, this imperfect world, God’s peace is peace amid life’s drama. Peace is not meant to be a selfish request from life’s drama (although sometimes God does resolve an earthly problem, which is great). Again, his peace is peace amid earthly problems.

So the question is, do we seek God’s peace? And do we seek his peace not just for ourselves but for others? Do we ask for his peace from God’s kingdom point of view? “Your kingdom come your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.” And peace in heaven is eternal.

GOD’s Infinite Forgiveness

 GOD’s Infinite Forgiveness

Have you ever done something against a friend, a neighbor, a stranger or even directly against the GOD of creation? It may be something that the current society frowns upon more than other offenses. Have you asked for forgiveness from the person who was offended? And from GOD? Then, that is all a person needs to do in order to receive forgiveness from the GOD who provides infinite forgiveness and grace. However, since we are still stuck in these imperfect human bodies, we sometimes forget about GOD’s forgiveness. And we allow past sins to haunt us.

May the following scripture encourage you: “If we confess our sins, he [GOD] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9. Did you see that keyword in that scripture? “All.” Not some or a little. But all!

The Psalmist wrote thousands of years ago and it still holds true: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgression from us.” – Psalm 103: 11-12. The imagery of “east from the west” is that of infinity. Infinite forgiveness.

“And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” (See Matthew 26:69-75 for the entire passage.) Amazingly, Jesus forgave Peter. He forgave him what some may consider quite the heavy sin. [But all sin is equal in the eyes of GOD. (See James 2:10).] Later, Jesus made certain that Peter knew he was forgiven. John 21 records the account when Jesus restores Peter. Jesus asks Peter three times – the number of times Peter denied Jesus – “Do you love me?” Peter replied in the affirmative each time. Jesus not only forgives Peter, but he restores him to being a shepherd of his people when Jesus instructed him, “Feed my sheep.” Have you ever felt like GOD forgives you but are not worthy to be a part of his work? The example of Jesus restoring Peter to his previous role as follower and shepherd should give us great encouragement.

The sin of King David is a similar story. David committed adultery and then murder. (See 2 Samuel 11-12) These are two offenses that current society frowns heavily upon. But after the prophet Nathan confronted David he “… said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” 2 Samuel 12:13. David went on to write Psalm 51, “Have mercy on me, O GOD, according to your love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” And GOD did as David repented. GOD restored his soul. He also did not take away his service as King. There were consequences for David’s sin. The child born from his adultery would not live. (2 Samuel 12:14). Also, David would not see the completion of the temple. (1 Chronicles 22:8). In this example, GOD did not take away his sovereign leadership nor his new wife. Nevertheless, he experienced the discipline of GOD. The important lesson here is not to consider GOD’s discipline as a message he is holding back his forgiveness. Never! Remember, the aforementioned scripture, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Did you see the keyword in that scripture? Justified. Meaning, being freed from the guilt of sin and being made right with GOD. Not only are we forgiven by GOD but just as he has removed it “as far as the east is from the west,” we no longer should feel the guilt of sin. This is an incredible promise, especially when our fallible minds prompt otherwise. In his forgiveness, he sees us without sin.