Peace Possessed!
I pray you have sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to you this week through these short devotions. Today, as we continue to consider peace from a biblical viewpoint let’s take a short in-depth look at the word “peace.”
In the Old Testament the word generally used for peace is “shalom.” Shalom is a broad concept found in covenant. It holds the idea of harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. It is a word that is reserved for God’s covenantal people. When the Jewish community spoke “shalom” to one another it was implied that all of God’s provision and protection would be theirs.
In the New Testament the word generally used for peace is “eirene.” In the Greek-Roman culture it could mean several different things. It was used to describe a time that was absent of war or chaos. For the Gentile believers it was used to describe one’s relationship with the Living True God through believing in Jesus Christ. Peace was seen as an important and sought after neighborly gesture. It could describe an individual virtue or inner state of serenity. It was also spoken as a greeting in society.
Enough about the word peace. So much more could be said and written but understanding a word’s meaning is not the same as possessing the attribute of the word. For instance, the Apostle Paul writes that peace is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He also states that we are to live peaceably with others (Romans 12:18). The writer of Hebrews tells us to make every effort to live in peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14). Everyone? Yes, everyone!
The theme for Advent this week is peace. We have read the Scriptures declaring how God’s peace has been proclaimed and promised. Now, it is time for us to consider what does it look like when we possess it. Or may I say it another way, “What will my life look like when I am possessed by God’s peace?’ The reality is, only when I am at peace with God (Romans 5:1-11) AND when I am abiding in Christ’s presence (John 15:1-5) can I share His peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Jesus said clearly and intentionally, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”(Matthew 5:9) Only as I allow His peace to possess me can I pass it onto others. Only as the fruit of the Holy Spirit is present in me can I speak with a peace-filled tongue. Only as I rely on Jesus being my peace can I share His message of peace to my community. The Prophet Isaiah declared,
“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”(Isaiah 52:7)
How would you be different this holiday season if you knew your feet were considered beautiful by God? You will notice I did not ask what you would do. But I intentionally asked, “How would you be different this holiday season?” Our community, State, Nation, and world is waiting for someone to unashamedly proclaim peace, good tidings, and salvation is possible because of Jesus coming in the flesh, the first Advent.
As you reflect on peace this week may you be encouraged by the promise in God’s Word.
“You (God) will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast (centered on God and His Word), because they trust (fully rely, believe) in you.”(Isaiah 26:3)
“Now may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Roman’s 15:13)
In the Old Testament the word generally used for peace is “shalom.” Shalom is a broad concept found in covenant. It holds the idea of harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. It is a word that is reserved for God’s covenantal people. When the Jewish community spoke “shalom” to one another it was implied that all of God’s provision and protection would be theirs.
In the New Testament the word generally used for peace is “eirene.” In the Greek-Roman culture it could mean several different things. It was used to describe a time that was absent of war or chaos. For the Gentile believers it was used to describe one’s relationship with the Living True God through believing in Jesus Christ. Peace was seen as an important and sought after neighborly gesture. It could describe an individual virtue or inner state of serenity. It was also spoken as a greeting in society.
Enough about the word peace. So much more could be said and written but understanding a word’s meaning is not the same as possessing the attribute of the word. For instance, the Apostle Paul writes that peace is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He also states that we are to live peaceably with others (Romans 12:18). The writer of Hebrews tells us to make every effort to live in peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14). Everyone? Yes, everyone!
The theme for Advent this week is peace. We have read the Scriptures declaring how God’s peace has been proclaimed and promised. Now, it is time for us to consider what does it look like when we possess it. Or may I say it another way, “What will my life look like when I am possessed by God’s peace?’ The reality is, only when I am at peace with God (Romans 5:1-11) AND when I am abiding in Christ’s presence (John 15:1-5) can I share His peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Jesus said clearly and intentionally, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”(Matthew 5:9) Only as I allow His peace to possess me can I pass it onto others. Only as the fruit of the Holy Spirit is present in me can I speak with a peace-filled tongue. Only as I rely on Jesus being my peace can I share His message of peace to my community. The Prophet Isaiah declared,
“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”(Isaiah 52:7)
How would you be different this holiday season if you knew your feet were considered beautiful by God? You will notice I did not ask what you would do. But I intentionally asked, “How would you be different this holiday season?” Our community, State, Nation, and world is waiting for someone to unashamedly proclaim peace, good tidings, and salvation is possible because of Jesus coming in the flesh, the first Advent.
As you reflect on peace this week may you be encouraged by the promise in God’s Word.
“You (God) will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast (centered on God and His Word), because they trust (fully rely, believe) in you.”(Isaiah 26:3)
“Now may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Roman’s 15:13)
SCRIPTURES:
Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 12:18
Hebrews 12:14
Romans 5:1-11
John 15:1-5
Philippians 4:7
Matthew 5:9
Isaiah 52:7
Isaiah 26:3
Romans 15:13
You are loved!!
Rest in His Peace!!
Uncle Mike
Romans 12:18
Hebrews 12:14
Romans 5:1-11
John 15:1-5
Philippians 4:7
Matthew 5:9
Isaiah 52:7
Isaiah 26:3
Romans 15:13
You are loved!!
Rest in His Peace!!
Uncle Mike
Posted in Advent
Recent
Archive
2022
June
No Comments