Peace is a Choice with Options
Peace is a choice with options that all of us can make. On the earth and in life, there is a dichotomy of many different things. There is a battle between good and evil, light and darkness. Or one political party and another. Or nation against nation. And between God and humankind.
At the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden, we once had a harmonious relationship with God. And with the fall of man (Genesis 3), we became separated from Him. Adam, representing all mankind, was driven from the Garden of Eden, and angels and flaming swords were placed to guard every direction of the path to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24).
This sin became the dividing wall of hostility between God and man, nation against nation, Jew versus Gentile, and light or good versus darkness and evil.
But God promised a way for people to be redeemed. He told the serpent that there would be enmity between his (devil) offspring or seed and God’s offspring or seed through a woman. The phrase “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen 3:15 ESV) is prophetic of Jesus’ death to come (Hebrews 2:14 and the context) and Jesus conquering Satan (Romans 16:20a – The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet).
So, what does this have to do with peace? Everything!
God is the author of peace. He makes a way for us to have peace with Him. And if we choose Him, we can have that peace immediately. Then we are to continue pursuing peace with God and others to bring them to salvation.
Here are those three reasons, in detail, why peace is a choice that is everything to us.
1. God is Peace
God is the author of peace and is called peace. In many letters throughout the New Testament, He is referred to as the God of peace.
May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15:33 ESV
Since Jesus is God incarnate, He is called the “Prince of Peace”, as He comes from the Father (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).
In history, there has been this dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles. One group is circumcised, the other is not. As Gentiles, we were separated from the promised covenant with God and without hope. But Jesus brought us close to God by dying for us. He is the peace that broke down the walls so we could have that same peace with God and hope for eternal life with Him.
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.
Ephesians 2:14 ESV
Peace on Earth? No, Division
Jesus said some concerning words about peace on earth. He said:
Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
Luke 12:51 ESV
This verse always troubled me. But when you look at the context and the help of a few commentaries, you can understand why He said this.
Jesus is talking to the crowd about being ready for action and specifically about His return in the future. People don’t know when they will die or when Jesus will return. We need to be ready as we don’t know the time or day either of these two events will happen.
As we have been talking, there is a dichotomy of different views in the world. And Christianity is a different viewpoint than Judaism or other religions. If you decide to choose Christ and you are from one of these other religions, then you are separated from your family, ostracized, or even killed for believing in something different than what is accepted and customary from the family’s viewpoint. That is Jesus’ point here. If you choose God and Jesus, then you will likely be separated or divided from your family.
This division happens in “Christian families” as well. I know of many families where there are believers and unbelievers. Some welcome their family members regardless of their beliefs. And for other families, there is complete division.
2. We receive Peace by Faith in God
When we have faith in God, we receive God’s peace.
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Mark 5:34 ESV
This happened more than once in the Gospels. In Luke 7:50, a ‘sinful’ woman washed Jesus’ feet with her dowry of oil and dried them with her hair. Jesus told her that her faith saved her.
And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:50 ESV
John the Baptist – a Pathway to Peace
That is why John the Baptist was called to prepare the way for Jesus. His calling was to give us a way to the light so we could have that peace with God. And escape eternal death. John’s role was–
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:79 ESV
Peace through Jesus’ Death on the Cross and Resurrection
And in Christ, His blood shed on the cross made peace for us. Jesus took on the punishment for us so we could have a right relationship with God! Praise God!
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Col 1:20 ESV
After Jesus rose to heaven, this is the gospel that Peter continued to preach as recorded in the book of Acts.
Peter preached the good news of peace that is found through Jesus Christ. And everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Found in Acts 10:36 and 43). Peace is a choice and all can choose to accept Jesus or not.
This is how we are granted peace and have a bridged relationship with God. We are no longer separated or alienated from God. Paul said this in the book of Romans.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 ESV
With Jesus’ saving work on the cross, we are justified. Or said in another way, we are declared righteous. The debt has been paid! And we no longer have to go to that eternal prison of hell. Instead, we have a life spent in heaven, in God’s presence for eternity. And we have PEACE here on earth from Jesus’ unselfish and humble act that He did on our behalf!
3. Continue the pursuit of Peace with God and with Others
In this past episode with Dawn Ward, we talked on the podcast about how we can have peace amid troubled or hard times at Christmas. This peace is not based on our circumstances. As believers, we already have this peace.
However, Paul tells Timothy that he is to pursue peace. We need to let go of the sins in our lives. These are the sins hindering our relationship with the Lord and others.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 ESV
While we pursue peace in our lives, we need to exhibit the characteristics of peace. One of those characteristics is to make peace with others. When we sow peace in our relationships with others, we are harvesting righteousness. We were declared righteous when we chose to believe in Jesus. And as we sow seeds of righteousness each day, we become more like Jesus each day!
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:18 ESV
Sowing peace in other people is a type of peace called peace with others.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV
Benediction of Peace:
As we head into Christmas and the New Year, I want to leave this benediction or blessing upon you.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV
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