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“Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2).
What could one give for peace?
Peace with people and peace with God.
There is no “thing” that we could give for peace – do we agree?
Could I revise an old fable to make this point for us.
There was a king who was noble and strong but he had no peace. He asked his wise men what he should do. One of the sages replied, “King, you must wear the shirt of a man who has peace.”
So the King sent out messengers throughout the kingdom to search for the shirt of a man who was at peace. At last one man was found who was at peace, but he did not own a shirt.
Can we handle putting on yet one more kettle in this series on “The Will of God”?
I’m going to be looking like Chef Boyardee if I don’t end this series soon.
#1 - SEEKING GOD’S WILL
Matthew 6:9-13, “. . . Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
#2 - SEEKING GOD’S WILL IN THE OLD COVENANT
Everyone who knows God always wants to know what He is doing and what He wants done.
Everyone from all the different eras of history has people who seek the Living God and they want to know His Will.
#3 - PRINCIPLES FOR SEEKING GOD’S WILL IN THE OLD COVENANT
“Lord you’re leading me with a cloud by day and then in the night the glow of a burning flame . . . and everywhere I go I see you.”
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR SEEKING GOD’S WILL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Key: Remember God! Don’t forget God! This makes us thankful in all circumstances.
Key: Humbly Pray (do this continually) . . . for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Key: Our rejoicing is in the Lord.
NO GOD . . . NO PEACE.
KNOW GOD . . . KNOW PEACE.
“I’ve got peace like a river”
“There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave a peace it can not take away; though the sorrows of life may surround like a flood, I’ve a peace that has come home to stay” (Constantly Abiding). “Peace, Peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above; sweep over my spirit from heaven I pray, in fathomless billows of love.”
I shall now attempt to explain something that Philippians 4:7 is beyond our understanding . . . and then I’m going to pull a rabbit out of my hat.
The Compact Bible Dictionary says that peace is a frequent word for greeting – “peace brother”. Used throughout the Bible to indicate a spirit of tranquility and freedom either inward or outward disturbance. Most frequently denotes spiritual tranquility which all can enjoy when through faith in Christ they are brought into a right relation with God.
RO 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
COL 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
PHP 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.
PHP 4:8 Finally, brothers, 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.
I. Peace with people.
For some, peace is simply a cessation of hostilities.
That is it . . . and for some that is enough.
Some areas in life may just need that and it is actually the Lord’s will.
This is a concession on my part.
I used to call that false peace – I am not so sure that is all that it is anymore. I would rather look at it now as a necessary step on the way to the real peace.
Peace: freedom from war or strife; agreement to end war; law and order; calm; state o quiet tranquility; quietness; repose; cessation of hostilities; tranquility of mind; quiet of conscience; harmony.
Isaiah 2:4 (and Micah 4:2) says, “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
That’s peace! It is something we will never accomplish on our own.
Is it possible to have peace with people?
Yes, but it is seemingly so short lived and very fragile.
Is it possible to have peace with God?
Yes, but it is a bit mysterious to me.
II. Peace with God.
Does our fear of God conflict with our peace with God?
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
PS 19:9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
The fear of the Lord and peace of God are not in conflict with one another – they are a spiritual complement to one another.
The only time when they conflict is when they are spiritually violating one another.
The fear of the Lord does not make us anxious; it brings us peace.
When I am anxious about what the Lord has clearly said; then I will loose my peace with God.
When I refuse to hear what the Lord is clearly telling me; then I loose my peace with God.
When I am at peace with God, I am not filled with anxiety over seeing God or being with God . . . for the fear of the Lord is pure and brings us to peace with Him.
When I am at peace with God, I want to walk with God and walk in His Spirit – quite the opposite of the Genesis 3 hide and seek games.
Think of what Adam and Eve felt that day – they were the first to experience a loss of peace with God.
The fear of the Lord is pure!
The Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
I read recently, “The pure in heart are the only ones that shall see God, because the pure in heart are the only ones who want to see God.” “The wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable (peace-loving NIV), gentle, full of mercy, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace . . .” (Galatians 5:22).
ISA 48:22 "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
That is peace with God.
“When I have really transacted business with God on His covenant and have let go entirely, there is no sense of merit, no human ingredient in it at all, but a complete overwhelming sense of being brought into union with God, and the whole thing is transfigured with peace and joy” (Oswald Chambers, December 6th, p. 341).
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:8).
Read Colossians 3:12-17
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