Peace will not be just a sense, it is usually a condition, a mindset, a state of being. It is a relationship with God Almighty who created you and loves you. Peace is where we would like to live. But we live in an unpeaceful world filled with strife, envy, jealousy, rage, competition, anxiety, fear, worry, and yes, lust. We crave what we haven’t got, and we don’t need what we do have. We long for peace. The peace of God is the other of all that the world has to supply.
The world’s definition of peace is a state of tranquility, freedom from disturbance, and harmony in personal relations. Who doesn’t want that?
Now take heed to the story of Jesus and the peace He offers you and me: “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you excellent news of great joy that shall be for all of the people. For unto you is born at the present time in the town of David a Savior, who’s Christ the Lord. And this shall be an indication for you: you will discover a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a mess of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the best, and on earth peace amongst those with whom he’s pleased! (Luke 2:10 )”
Jesus comes to offer peace! Now you could think you realize what peace is.
But take heed to what Jesus says about it in John 14:1: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; consider also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it weren’t so, would I even have told you that I’m going to arrange a spot for you? And if I’m going and prepare a spot for you, I’ll come again and can take you to myself, that where I’m you could be also. And you realize the approach to where I’m going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we have no idea where you’re going. How can we all know the best way?” Jesus said to him, “I’m the best way, and the reality, and the life. No one involves the Father except through me.”
Look at what Jesus also says in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not because the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither allow them to be afraid.”
Jesus is the approach to peace. And you could say, ‘Oh, I do know what peace is!’ But you do not know what peace is until you realize Jesus. His peace will not be just like the world’s peace. If you realize Jesus, you’ll experience peace. If you do not know Jesus, you will not.
Now let me offer you a definition for the peace of God so we are able to see the difference between the world’s peace and God’s peace.
The peace of God is a state of wholeness, calmness, and completeness. As you compare the 2 definitions, the world’s definition of peace is an external definition based on circumstances and human relationships.
If you are attempting to get to a everlasting condition of peace based on external circumstances and human relationships, you’ll be more unpeaceful than you are actually. The peace the world offers you is circumstantial. The peace God offers you is complete, consistent, whole, and ideal no matter what is occurring in your life. It doesn’t come from without, it comes from inside.
Let me explain. When Jesus returned to heaven he promised to send the Holy Spirit:
“These things I even have spoken to you while I’m still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he’ll teach you all things and produce to your remembrance all that I even have said to you” (John 14:25).
The Greek word here is Paracletos, “the one who comes alongside” or the Comforter, the Peace-giver! Jesus left earth and sent the Holy Spirit to live within us. Now have a look at the fruit of the Spirit that lives inside you.
“But for those who are led by the Spirit, you aren’t under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, matches of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those that do such things is not going to inherit the dominion of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there isn’t any law” (Galatians 5:18).
How can we unwrap God’s gift of peace in our lives? You and I have to accept Jesus as God’s peace to the world. We must realize the world’s peace and God’s peace aren’t the identical. True peace comes once we follow Jesus and never our own wishes or wants.
Declare today, “I’m God’s child. In Christ, I’m pleasing in his sight. I receive the peace He has for me in Jesus’ name.” When you do that, you’re then free to follow God and never your flesh, which incorporates your grocery list of fleshy expressions. I haven’t got to be anxious because Jesus is my peace. I haven’t got to be jealous because Jesus is my peace. I haven’t got to be indignant because Jesus is my peace. He has sent the Holy Spirit to live in me. I just must keep consistent with Him as He leads me into the peace He has for me in Jesus’ name.
May you experience God’s peace this Christmas season!
