The Peace of God

By Arthur J Licursi

Many Christians pray for peace for one another – “Lord give him (or her) peace.” But what is the source of peace for believers? Is this a legitimate prayer for believers?

If we believe these verses we already have "peace WITH God" as well as "the peace (that is) OF God that passeth understanding... through the Lord Jesus Christ"who live within us as our present reality.

"Therefore being justified by faith, We Have Peace With God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1)

“The peace of god, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philip 4:7).

“Peace WITH God” is one thing and “the peace OF God” is another. To enjoy the “the peace of God,” we must first experience “peace with God.” There was a great gulf that existed between God and man since man’s rebellion against God. Thankfully, God has bridged the great gulf between God and man. God did this by giving His dear Son Jesus on the cross for all the sins of the world – past, present, and future. With God’s remedy all is now well between God and man “in Christ.”

Every believer has “peace with God” since they have believed or placed their faith in the work of Christ on the cross to justify them. The Apostle Paul declared by divine inspiration that “(Christ) was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification” and that “therefore, being justified by faith,” we, who once were at enmity with God, may enjoy “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 4:25; 5:1).

The result of coming to “peace with God” is “the peace of God,” the peace that He gives to His own amid all the troubles of life. The peace of God, available to rule our hearts is the result of “peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. ”This is why the Apostle wrote to this the believers at Rome.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Rom. 15:13).

While only those who are at peace with God can know, and in fact should know “the peace of God,” it does not follow, however, that all those who are at “peace with God” necessarily enjoy “the peace of God.” Believers must continue to be believers in order to enjoy the “peace of God.” The word for continuing to believe is “trust.” Believers can enjoy “the peace of God” only as they practice Paul’s admonition seen here.

“Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

As we follow Paul’s instructions the promise which follows will spontaneously be fulfilled.

“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (verse 7).

As believers in Christ “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).Therefore believers should not be constantly overwhelmed and defeated by the adversities of life. Rather, we should heed Paul’s exhortation; “Let the peace of God rule (Gk. brabeuo, govern) in your hearts” (Col. 3:15). Since we are admonished to “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,” then it is clear we have a role in enjoying Christ “who is our peace.” It is clear that the key to the Christians life working, to provide the believer with rest and peace, is FAITH and maintaining TRUST in the truths of “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts20:24) as presented by the Apostle Paul.

"Now the Lord (controller) of peace Himself give you peace always by all means” (2Thes. 3:16). The Lord of peace Himself indwells every believer’s human spirit and so peace is ever-present in every believer. All we need to do is trust Him who “is our peace” (Eph 2:14). He is ever-present in all the situations of our lives. He is the sovereign Lord and God of the universe in which we live. He is over all things; so nothing can touch our lives unless He permits it for our “good.” Shall we not trust Him in “all things”?