ARE YOU NEEDING PEACE?

THE PEACE OF GOD

John 14:27 (NKJV): 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

When you think of this word PEACE what comes to you? What thoughts or feelings flood your mind when you think about Peace? Do you think of the flower children of the sixties & seventies? Do you think of tranquility or being serene? There are two types of peace contained in the above verse: His Peace & the world's peace.

What is the world’s peace? Essentially it is a peace that is only based upon this world. It's a peace that is only based on what it can see, touch, feel the security of things and resources. It is based upon the flesh here's a great definition of the world as taught by the Apostle John.

1 John 2:16,17 AMPC 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

Have you ever been there? Has your peace ever seemed from your own flesh or what you can see or your own resources? We all have in some point in time depended our peace upon the things around us. This kind of peace is not genuine. The peace of this world is fleeting & wishful & as stable as the chaff in the wind. It is based in circumstances and appearances but not based on the truth

What is His Peace? Let’s go back to the words of Jesus

John 14:27 (NKJV): 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

What is biblical Peace? The word peace in the above verse is the greek New Testament word eierene and it comes from a primary verb (to join lit or fig) peace, quietness, rest, to set at one again

In other words, the peace of God is to receive quietness, rest, to join and to set a one again. You see this peace is not from your own doings or efforts, it doesn’t come from your own strivings or will power, it is a joining to someone else’ peace. It is a setting together again, it is a joining to be set at oneness again.

Joining to whom setting at one to what? His Peace. It is the peace quietness, rest, of Christ imparted, joined and being made one into your spirit. Christ leaves us His peace. It is not as the world’s peace fleeting and inconsistent. This peace is unshakable far above this worlds system or order. It is a superior peace that is both eternal and constant.

Now, why is peace important for you to receive? Two main points in scripture (of course there are many more but I want to communicate two for you to treasure in your heart and consider.

Firstly, He imparts His Peace in your heart because of his love for you and so that others receive that very peace that you yourself have received. If you are a son or daughter of God its actually what you are called to. As a child of God to make peace in any given situation.

Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God."

The amplified classic version brings it out further

Matthew 5:9 Blessed (enjoying [a]enviable happiness, [b]spiritually prosperous—[c]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and [d] maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!

In other words, the children of God are those who create and maintain peace. Those are the sons of God. Are you a child of God? Then you can not just have peace but maintain it and make it in any God given situation! Consider the following passage in Matthew 10:11-13 : '“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ' You can release peace in any given situation! Glory to God!

Secondly, God’s peace releases harmony. What is harmony? During the times of Jesus, the jewish people spoke greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. It is highly likely that Jesus used this word to describe peace. The Hebrew word for the Peace is the word Shalom and Shalom means peace, wholeness, completeness, and harmony.

The definition of harmony- the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect.

-agreement or concord.

-compatibility and accord in feelings, actions, relationships, opinions, interests, etc

You see in other words, harmony means compatibility and oneness with God’s feelings actions, relationships and interests. To receive divine harmony is to be in cadence with the rhythm of God’s heart and if harmony with God is achieved then you will know with total assurance what his plans are for you and for others! That's good news! Harmony brings about guidance to his purposes and calling for our lives. Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

That word rule means - (to govern or to act as an umpire ) to arbitrate which means to an independent person or body reach an authoritative judgement or settlement or choice.

This is why in the AMPC version brings out this translation

AMPC 15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

In other words, you have another independent person making judgments and making choices on the inside of us its GOD’s PEACE! He Himself is our Peace. Jesus is peace personified.

EPHESIANS 2:14 says, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

AMPC 14 For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us,"

Jesus loves you and desires you to have His Peace, Himself. He is the One who can calm the storms of your mind by stilling your heart with his Peace.

Let’s review the original passage:

John 14:27 (NKJV): 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, neither let it be afraid! That means you are going to have to make a decision that’s not God’s part it is yours to and only yours to make!

How do we put that into practice? Philippians 4:6-9

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

AMPC

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([b]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [c]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 [d]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [e]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

When you draw near HE will draw near

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

You will go from having the peace of God to knowing the God of peace.

Do you have peace? Run to the God of peace! Run to Jesus the prince of Peace!

ISAIAH 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

John 14:27 (NKJV): 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

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