All over the world the prevailing state is of war and unrest, while everyone, filled with envy is craving to snatch by any means what the others have. Everyone is suffering from an internal conflict and mentally disturbed over their own perceived lack. In this neither a woman, nor a family, business or a country is safe and secure. But when the forces of darkness are in control over the earthly systems, how can there be any peace anywhere?
Living a life of abundant peace – Is darkness only absence of light only or something more than that? In like manner is peace the absence of any conflict only? The Scripture is a guide map given by God for all of humanity to live by His standards. Adam and Eve were given and exercised their dominion rights over all that existed at that time, including wild beasts. There is no mention anywhere about any harm from any of those beasts to either of the two. They were at peace with all of creation and the Creator and all worked as per God’s laid down rules.
After sin entered their lives, they were filled with fear and hid from God. They covered themselves with leaves to hide their true selves from each other as well as from God. First, they lost their own peace; then peace with each other and finally peace with God also. Cain was born to Eve after she became intimate with Adam, and said, ‘I have acquired a man from the LORD’ (Genesis 4:1). The Hebrew word ‘qanah’ used here means, ‘acquire, gain, own or possess’. One of the parents declaring, ‘I have acquired’ means ownership of the son and this evidenced in his behaviour that he murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy.
Peace is defined by the Hebrew word ‘Shalom’ which is used for the first time in Exodus 21 and 22 for a total of 14 times. In this Shalom means ‘make it good or restore’ but it is more about overall peace in mind, body and the entire being of an individual. It includes all aspects of safety, harmony and soundness of relationships.
The first aspect of peace is internal peace, within oneself. Peace within is more than being calm and carefree, but is derived from a deep assurance from our faith in God. We are then equipped to face life’s challenges with confidence. While fleeing from Saul, the king, David was staying at Ziklag, in the territory of Achish, a Palestinian king. While David and his men were away, the Amalekites raided their camp, looted everything and took their wives and children captive (1 Samuel 30:1-6). David’s men, who were ever ready to lay down their lives for him, in their grief, held David guilty for this and talked of ‘stoning him’. But in all this turmoil, ‘David strengthened himself in the LORD’ and under LORD God’s guidance all of them joined together to recover all that was taken, by defeating the Amalekites. Those who have inner peace are able to find peace in every situation with others also. David was called ‘man of God’s heart’ for God chose him while he was yet a shepherd boy (1 Samuel 13:14). He worshipped God to please God, and not others, and his strength was in his faith in God.
The second is peace with God and that is our reconciliation with God through forgiveness of our sins. God loves all of His creation and He is ‘good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to those who call upon You’ (Psalm 86:5). The sacrifice of Lord Jesus on the cross is about forgiveness of the sin of disobedience of God by all of humanity. With this, all those who believe and receive the Saviour as their messiah, receive ‘the right to become children of God’ (John 1:12). As per Scripture, people can be divided into two groups. First, those who seek and pursue truth and these are chosen by God for greater responsibilities in His kingdom. The second, are those who pursue a collective identity by belonging to a specific place and organisation. They keep moving from place to place to seek peace and joy but rarely get filled with it.
The third is peace from God which our Lord has given to all who are in a right relationship with Him. Lord Jesus promised, ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you’ (John 15:26-27). The Greek word ‘Eirene’ is the parallel word for Shalom, meaning the same. The main hurdle to peace is the fractured society, with no idea how to be complete or whole. God in heaven revealed His plan for peace in the world, through the birth of His Son as a human being (Isaiah 9:6). ‘And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’. World gives peace by removing the hurdles to peace but Lord Jesus gives it by strengthening us to face and overcome these in His power and authority. Even on the cross, His concern was for forgiveness of the Jewish leaders, salvation for the criminal on the cross and care of His mother.
Finally, it is peace of God, of the Prince of Peace. He promises each of us who follow His commands, ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20). His presence, His teaching and His words are manifested in a believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The God of Peace dwells in us to lead us in this world on paths that lead to His peace and we receive Him and His peace through faith.
Link between ‘Shalom’ and ‘Sozo’ – Greek word ‘sozo’ means to rescue someone from some great disaster and also to protect, keep alive or make whole. It is also used in Scripture to save from perishing. The disciples woke up the Lord in the boat in the storm, saying, ‘Lord save us! We are perishing! (Matthew 8:25). It includes both physical and spiritual life but mostly about the spiritual. Joseph received a message in a dream, from God through an angel, revealing to Him, ‘She (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save (sozo) His people from their sins’ (Matthew 1:21). He, being a devout Jew could understand and obey. After putting across all aspects of faith and a life of obedience, the psalmist could declare, ‘Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble’ (Psalm 119:165). Right from the time of creation, the basic command for all mankind has been to obey the Word of The Lord.
Spiritual growth is seen in those who are aware of their self-worth. The lies of the serpent in the Garden of Eden filled Eve with doubt about the love of God. Her internal conflicts were reflected in Cain and Abel, their sons. Lord Jesus was confident of His relationship with the Father in heaven and never tries to glorify Himself in any way, on earth or now in and from heaven. He could say, ‘the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do’ (John 5:19-20). He could further say, ‘the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel’. The devil tempted Lord Jesus to prove His Sonship to satisfy His own needs and thus glorify Himself (Matthew 4:3-7). Those who are strong and confident of their relationship with God and salvation freely received, are filled with peace.
Apostle Paul was so full of peace and joy in his relationship, that he could claim nothing great for himself, but being ‘a bondservant of Jesus Christ’ (Romans 1:1). Sozo brings all types of peace in a person who has submitted himself to the Lord with repentance and choosing to follow Him. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, the followers of Lord Jesus, were named ‘Boanerges, that is, ‘Sons of Thunder’ (Mark 3:17). A Samaritan village refused to ‘receive’ and welcome Lord Jesus (Luke 9:52-54). This filled the two brothers with anger and they called out to Him, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did’ (Luke 9:52-54). However, after receiving salvation from the Risen Lord, Herod, ‘killed James, the brother of John with the sword’ (Acts 12:1-2). Apostle John, despite all the suffering that the Apostles and the Church were subjected to, could teach to love one another. He could further say, ‘he who does not love does not know God, for God is love’ (1 John 4:7-8).
Apostle Paul first gave an account of all that he suffered for the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-29). He did this not to boast, but with the aim of glorifying God, who enabled him to endure all that. And then he could say, ‘Who is weak, and I am not weak?’ The weakness was reflected in the behaviour of those who persecuted him. The Apostle was filled with peace and could rejoice in his sufferings also. Peace is not the absence of turmoil but the presence of God in His Spirit, who strengthens and fills us with self-control.
‘Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons’ was so filled with grief that she continued to sit at the Empty Tomb, after Apostles Peter and John had gone back (Luke 8:2). Filled with pain over her grief, the Risen Lord appeared to her to console and to bless her (John 20:11-19). At a time when a woman’s testimony was rejected outright, she was commanded, ‘go to My brethren’. Those who forsook the Lord out of fear, were called ‘My brethren’ by the Lord and Mary understood exactly who and what He meant. The message gave them some solace but they received real peace from the Lord Himself when on the ‘same day’, He Himself was present among them. Mary Magdalen, filled with joy and peace of the Lord, remained unperturbed at others’ unbelief.
It is not that conflicts and afflictions are no longer there in a believer’s life, but the ‘Prince of Peace’ being in them in the Holy Spirit helps to face everything. Apostle Paul, despite all that he faced, could teach us to not be anxious but pray to the Lord about everything (Philippians 4:6-7). Then, ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus’. Our absolute dependence on Him helps us to live in peace in every situation. Then, those who do not know the Lord will marvel at your faith and our lives become our testimony before others.
Believers and inner conflicts – God created the world through ten utterances and we are created in His image and likeness. In us also, ‘death and life are in the power of the tongue’ (Proverbs 18:21). What we think, speak and desire deep within us directly affects us and we cannot be at peace, while always thinking about and speaking about conflict. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham and he was made ‘a father of many nations’ (Genesis 17:5 & 15-17). His wife Sarai was called Sarah and blessed to be ‘a mother of many nations; kings of peoples shall be from her’. He did not believe and laughed on hearing this from God for he was already ninety-nine years old and Sarah, eighty-nine. True peace comes when we become aware of our purpose of life and Abraham could be at peace with every situation and is revered by most of the population of the earth.
Recognising our worth, not in the eyes of the world but in God is critical. He has chosen each one of us who believe in Him and His Son redeemed us through His sacrifice. His Spirit dwells in us not because we are good but because God sees our real worth to be His children. With this awareness, we unlock the door to inner peace and look unto Him in heaven in every situation. We are assured, ‘For You (God) will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You’ (Isaiah 26:3). When the Messiah yielded His spirit to God the Father; the ‘veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split’ (Matthew 27:51). The sacrifice of Lord Jesus affected the natural order of the earth but how many people, even believers are really fully affected by this?
We have the promise of God, ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron’ (Isaiah 45:2-3). We face many situations daily that are ready to upset us, but God is willing to touch the hearts of those opposing us, if we let Him. We are held in bondage of our own desires but He readily empowers us to overcome all that and be victorious. Many people think that various verses written in the Holy Bible were meant for specific persons of that time. God has included everything about the strengths and weaknesses of people to guide us to learn and walk in faith, seeking and receiving His help.
Apostle Paul has taught, ‘the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot’ (Romans 8:7). Anyone who is focussed in his own strength, wealth and influence, wants to ensure everything in his own way. The Son of God had no sin to repent of and be baptised by John the Baptist, who ‘tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by You, and are You coming to me?’ (Matthew 3:14-15). His answer is for every believer, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness’. He surrendered to the plan of the Father in heaven completely. Our Lord chose the disciples and commanded them, ‘follow Me’ (Matthew 4:19). The eleven, out of the first twelve, diligently followed Him and found inner peace to face every opposition from the Jewish leaders and the Roman empire. Because of them the whole world is changed and multitudes in all nations follow the Lord.
Most people live a life of turmoil and pain within because their mind is riveted to what has been or what will happen tomorrow. We are commanded by the Saviour Lord to live in the present to be and remain filled with His peace. Our peace is not dependent on others but on our own selves for our Redeemer has blessed us with His peace already!
