Man’s idea of “peace” cannot compare to the real thing. Man, having settled down in God’s judgment seat, believes he can accomplish what God says is impossible: the experience of genuine peace apart from God. Isaiah 48:22 says, “There is no peace, says the LORD, for the wicked.”
There it is! Man’s concept of peace is inherently selfish, making concessions only when compromise provides a more favourable outcome than standing fast.
Peace is not made through treaties, political leverage, popular opinion, or acting in one’s best interest. Peace is not making the choice not to kill people who were once your enemy without reconciliation, love, or joy present in your heart towards them. No signature on a document can change the hearts of the men who sign it.
Peace is not the absence of war or political conflict, but unity of heart and spirit in love. And God makes it perfectly clear no one can experience true peace while remaining in sin. A man who refuses to make peace with God is without hope of any peace with men, no matter how rich or respected he is. Consider this from another perspective: say a person receives exactly what he desires and demands in full. Does this bring peace to the heart of a man? No! His greed, distrust, and suspicion of others will not allow him to rest. People who have all the world can offer still suffer niggling doubts, insecurity, anger over how they have been unjustly treated, or frustrated their expectations remain unmet.
A building project is a perfect example of how peace man’s way always falls short. Say you have a set of drawings drafted to your exact specifications. The most perfect plans in short order prove themselves lacking. Amendments to the plans, issues with the builder, shoddy workmanship, delays of receiving hardware, cost overruns, and the time-consuming nature of building is a constant stress. Man’s peace may look good on paper, but it can never be a reality as he imagines it. Even if the house is built perfectly, nothing can prevent wear and tear. More work and money will be required for maintenance and repairs. Nothing can keep the paint from fading, vandals from targeting the façade with eggs, gates from squeaking, water damage, slippery floors, carpet from collecting dust, and the appliances wearing out. Those who remain enemies of God because of their sin cannot dream of lasting peace, for God has spoken the truth: “There is no peace for the wicked.”
Only in Jesus can a man find rest for his soul, a rest enjoyed apart from the circumstances of life. The world can be a living hell, but the man who has peace with God discovers profound repose no trial or struggle can shake. We are all born enemies of God due to sin, yet Jesus is our peace and has united us with Himself by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:13-22 says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
God has offered peace to all who will make peace with Him through repentance and faith. Peace primarily is an internal reality, not external or temporary. It is a peace which endures as long as the Prince of Peace Himself. Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can fulfil the exhortation of Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." What a joy, to know the peace which passes understanding! Though the depth of God’s peace cannot be plumbed or the breadth measured, it can be intimately known and realised. Do you know this peace? Do you want to? Only those made righteous through faith in Christ can know peace, a peace this world cannot know apart from Him.
Peace is not the absence of war or political conflict, but unity of heart and spirit in love. And God makes it perfectly clear no one can experience true peace while remaining in sin. A man who refuses to make peace with God is without hope of any peace with men, no matter how rich or respected he is. Consider this from another perspective: say a person receives exactly what he desires and demands in full. Does this bring peace to the heart of a man? No! His greed, distrust, and suspicion of others will not allow him to rest. People who have all the world can offer still suffer niggling doubts, insecurity, anger over how they have been unjustly treated, or frustrated their expectations remain unmet.
A building project is a perfect example of how peace man’s way always falls short. Say you have a set of drawings drafted to your exact specifications. The most perfect plans in short order prove themselves lacking. Amendments to the plans, issues with the builder, shoddy workmanship, delays of receiving hardware, cost overruns, and the time-consuming nature of building is a constant stress. Man’s peace may look good on paper, but it can never be a reality as he imagines it. Even if the house is built perfectly, nothing can prevent wear and tear. More work and money will be required for maintenance and repairs. Nothing can keep the paint from fading, vandals from targeting the façade with eggs, gates from squeaking, water damage, slippery floors, carpet from collecting dust, and the appliances wearing out. Those who remain enemies of God because of their sin cannot dream of lasting peace, for God has spoken the truth: “There is no peace for the wicked.”
Only in Jesus can a man find rest for his soul, a rest enjoyed apart from the circumstances of life. The world can be a living hell, but the man who has peace with God discovers profound repose no trial or struggle can shake. We are all born enemies of God due to sin, yet Jesus is our peace and has united us with Himself by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:13-22 says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
God has offered peace to all who will make peace with Him through repentance and faith. Peace primarily is an internal reality, not external or temporary. It is a peace which endures as long as the Prince of Peace Himself. Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can fulfil the exhortation of Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." What a joy, to know the peace which passes understanding! Though the depth of God’s peace cannot be plumbed or the breadth measured, it can be intimately known and realised. Do you know this peace? Do you want to? Only those made righteous through faith in Christ can know peace, a peace this world cannot know apart from Him.
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