PERFECT PEACE

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PERFECT PEACE

(Isa 26:3) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Peace has been the cry of mankind throughout the ages. As a teenager I wore the peace symbol and held my two fingers up high for peace. I listened to John Lennon sing “Give Peace A Chance.” There were the demonstrations. There were the ongoing social struggles and scuffles. There was the search for peace through drugs and the subculture. Surely we live in a different day but there is still the desperate cry in our hearts for peace. And not only for our nation but also for our families and for our own hearts and lives. Is it possible to have perfect peace?

Isaiah prophesied that One would come into our world as the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6). The work of Jesus on the cross provided the reconciliation needed for man to be rightly related to God. As a result there would be peace with God! (Rom 5:1) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. No more would man have to be at war with his Maker. (Col 1:20 22) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. {21} And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled {22} in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Now when a person has peace with God it provides the basis to be at peace with one another. (Eph 2:14-16) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, {15} having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, {16} and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. How can we expect people to get along if the peace of God is not in their hearts? The cry for world peace is satisfied at the foot of the cross when people come together under the Prince of peace.

Now what about in the personal arena? Is it possible to have perfect peace in one's heart? They say peace is the absence of war but what about when the world is raging all around you? (Gal 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is...peace... Having peace is a result of the Holy Spirit within us...not only resident...but president! (Phil 4:6-7) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; {7} and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Don’t mull it over...turn it over! Turn your cares into prayers (1 Pet 5:7).

But can we maintain that personal peace? (Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts... In fact the Bible calls it "perfect peace." The Hebrew words are "shalom shalom." It means "peace peace" and represents ongoing peace. There might be chaos around me but I am promised perfect peace. But that peace seems to come and go according to my anxieties and troubles. How can I lock that peace in? Like Isaiah said I must keep my mind on the Lord and trust in Him for everything! Then I must think those positive thoughts that will keep me in that ring of peace. (Phil 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. May the perfect peace of Christ be yours today!

Louie

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