A ‘happy clappy’ song I remember from my early days as a Christian went like this: “I’ve got that peace that passes understanding down in my heart, yes down in my heart; I’ve got that peace that passes understanding down in my heart – Down in my heart to stay!” Praise God for His peace! I have to confess that I don’t always feel it; but when the storm is over, I know that the same Jesus who said “Peace be still” to the storm on Lake Galilee, has spoken the same words to all my storms.
He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the Prince of peace too. Peace is part and parcel of the Gospel; the ‘Good News’. Roman 5 v1 says that “Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. It is when we are ‘born again’ into the family of God, that real peace begins.
The Father’s love, forgiveness, grace, and peace become part of our new spiritual DNA. Maybe that is why Paul says that it is a “Peace that surpasses understanding”. And it doesn’t stop there! Being at peace with God means we are at peace with one another. Ephesians 2 v13, 14 “But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who hath made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us”. In Christ all divisions are dealt with, Galatians 3 v28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus”.
Think of that! Peace with God, peace with each other, and peace in our hearts as a gift from Jesus Himself. John 14 v27 “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”. Be encouraged with the peace we have; a peace that is more than we can explain; but that we have and experience in Christ. Together, in Him, let our hearts and minds be guarded by the peace that passes understanding.
Be blessed with heart-filling, overflowing and mind-guarding peace.
Eddie.