Peace On the Path

Something I've been learning alot about lately is peace. As I journey closer to Jesus on my Mountain Path there is one gift of God that I love to have - a peace within. When I have peace within I can be going through the perfect storm and still remain calm. But so often I find that peace within eludes me. Sometimes I have been discouraged because I can't even feel at peace while I spending time with God or doing my devotions. By God's grace and with the help of a book I received called "The Peacemaker" I have been learning about how we as Christians can have peace every day as we journey on our mountain paths.
"There are three dimensions to the peace that God offers to us through Christ: peace with God, peace with one another, and peace within ourselves" (Sande 44). The key to God's gift of peace is this: All of these dimensions of peace are intertwined.

Peace with God

Before we accepted Jesus as our Savior and entered into relationship with Him, we were seperated from God by our sin. Through Jesus Christ we are able to have peace with God. Think about the following verses in regards to peace with God:

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him [Jesus], and through Him to reconcile to himself all things...by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand" (Romans 5:1-2)

"But He was peirced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)

The gift of salvation is the essence of our peace with God. "As [we] believe in Jesus, accept His gracious gift of salvation, and draw closer to Him through the power of His Spirit, the study of His Word, the privelege of prayer, and the fellowship of His church, His peace can fill every part of [our] live[s]" (Sande 45).

Peace with Others

Because of the peace that we have in God through Jesus Christ we are also able to enjoy peace with others (Eph 2:11-18). Peace, often referred to as unity, is the "presence of genuine harmony, understanding, and good will between people" (Sande 46). It is not mearely the absence of conflict. It is God's call on our lives to "live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). Peace with others is a result of obeying the second great commandment, "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matt. 22:39). This peace or unity with others is an "essential" part of being an effective witness of Jesus.

Peace within Yourself

This is the peace that everyone wants to have. Many people strive for a peace within without a peace with God or others. The truth of the matter is that we cannot have peace within if we don't have peace with God and man. Peace within "is a gift that God gives only to those who believe in His Son and obey His commands (1 John 3:21-24). In other words, internal peace is a by-product of righteousness" (Sande 46). Let's look at the Word:

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).

"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quitness and confidence forever" (Isaiah 32:17; cf. Psalms 85:10; 119:165).

"If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea" (Isaiah 48:18).

These verses clearly show that "it is impossible to experience internal peace if you fail to persue peace with God and peace with others" (Sande 46). My own experience testifies to the truth of these passages. Several times I know that I have not been able to find an internal peace while there is conflict between another person and myself. Two weeks ago I was troubled inside because I had been avoiding a guy because I didn't want to tell him that I had chosen someone else to be my discipler. I didn't want to have to explain why I chose the other guy over him so I avoided him, and I could not find a peace within until I found peace with the guy who was waiting for me to say something to his offer to be my discipler. This principle goes hand in hand with God's Word:

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember thatyour brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).

Not only do we need peace with others to have peace within ourselves, we are to seek peace with others even ahead of worshipping God. Until recently I always thought that I could have peace with God and internal peace even though I may at odds with a brother or sister in Christ. But I have always had difficulty, wondering why I seldom had the internal peace that I wanted. Now I realize that I all three dimensions of God's gift of peace and intertwined and work together. Now I am practicing peace with God and man, and finding this: As I trust in Jesus my Savior and obey His commands AND seek harmonious relationships with those around me, I also have a peace within. On the mountain path that can be very difficult at times, peace is an amazing comfort, blessing, and gift from God.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another....Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace" (Colossians 3:13;15).