Background
In our restless age there is a worldwide longing for peace. The book Peace with God by Billy Graham has sold millions of copies in many languages, anindication of this longing. In some languages, such as Arabic and Hebrew,the standard greeting is “peace.” But only as Jesus Christ possesses ourhearts can we know true peace. In this section, we shall deal with twoaspects of peace.
Peace with God:
Peace with God comes to us in the forgiveness of sin through the merit and suffering of Jesus Christ.
Peace with God means a cessation of our hostility toward Him. When a person confesses his or her sinful pride, admits defeat, and submits to God, the war with Him is over: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
Peace with God means reconciliation with Him. We are no longer alienated: “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight” (Colossians 1:21–22).
“. . . 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” (Colossians 1:20).
“That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19, NIV).
Peace with God brings a sense of well-being and confidence: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV).
The Peace of God:
The peace of God is the legacy of Christian believers and comes as we walk in obedience to His will for our lives. Many Christians have peace with God but have never gone on to experience the peace of God in their lives. They are torn with anxieties and fears that destroy their spiritual stability and joy. Peace is a gift from God and the rightful legacy of all believers, but far too many do not enjoy it. The peace of God flows from a full, unhindered fellowship with Him who is our peace.
Here is a simple formula from the Bible for enjoying the peace of God:
Psalm 37:1–5 tells us:
1. Do not fret (verse 1)
2. Trust in the Lord (verse 3)
3. Delight yourself in the Lord (verse 4)
Philippians 4:6–7 tells us:
1. Be anxious for nothing (verse 6)
2. Be prayerful in everything (verse 6)
3. Be thankful for anything (verse 6)
4. And you will have peace (verse 7)
Helping Strategy
For the Non-Christian:
1. Explain the gospel – Christian Biblical Counsel: STEPS TO PEACE WITH GOD
2. Encourage the caller to take a firm stand for Christ and to get into the Bible by reading and studying it daily. Offer to send Your New Life In Christ Bible Study.
3. Encourage becoming involved in a Bible-teaching church for fellowship, worship, Bible study, and prayer.
4. Pray with the inquirer that the peace of God may be generously experienced.
For the Christian:
Probe gently for unconfessed sin, worry, or emotional problems. Then:
1. Encourage confessing any known sin, wrong, irritation, anger, or bitterness that might be blocking a full experience of the peace of God.
2. Share thoughts from the “Background” on the peace of God.
3. Suggest developing a daily devotional life as a means of “delighting in the Lord” and experiencing His peace. The person should:
A. Read and study the Bible daily – Your New Life In Christ Bible Study
B. Pray about everything, trusting God to work according to Romans8:28.
C. Daily commit his or her life into God’s hands in the spirit of Proverbs 3:5–6.
4. Recommend that the inquirer get involved in a Bible-teaching church for fellowship, worship, prayer, Bible study, and opportunities for service.
5. Pray with the inquirer for God’s peace, victory, and joy.
Scripture
Psalm 34:14
Isaiah 26:3
John 14:27
John 16:33
Romans 8:6, NIV
The Billy Graham Christian Worker’s Handbook; World Wide Publications, 1984, 1996
Peace, Rest
See also Conscience.
1. Christ gives peace and rest to all who come to him in faith.
Matt. 11:28–30. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
2. Peace comes through justification by faith in Jesus.
Rom. 5:1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus gives us peace.
John 14:27. “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.”
4. Jesus was punished for our sins so that we may have peace.
Isa. 53:5. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
5. The penitent woman, who wept at Jesus’ feet, found peace through him.
Luke 7:36–50.
Luke 7:48. Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 7:50. Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
6. Humble trust in the Lord gives peace.
Ps. 4:8. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
7. God promises peace to his people.
Ps. 85:8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.
8. Peace is the result of being controlled by the Spirit.
Rom. 8:6. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
9. Peace is the fruit of the Spirit.
Gal. 5:22–23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
10. God gives peace to those whose minds are fixed on him.
Isa. 26:3–4. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.
11. The peace of God comes through praying in faith.
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; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
12. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Isa. 9:6. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
13. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace.
Isa. 57:2. He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, Each one walking in his uprightness.
14. God revives, heals, and gives peace to those who are contrite.
Isa. 57:14–21.
Isa. 57:19–20. “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
15. There is no peace for the wicked.
Isa. 57:21. “There is no peace,” Says my God, “for the wicked.”
16. False prophets will say, “peace, peace,” when there is no peace.
Jer. 8:11–12. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; In the time of their punishment They shall be cast down,” says the Lord.[1]
[1] Kruis, J. G. (1994). Quick scripture reference for counseling (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
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