The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote, “It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.”
We live in a world that has been ravaged by war and hostility for most of its history. Recently my wife and I visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. Many of you listening remember that act of war that took place on our continent in 2001—not only in New York but at the Pentagon and in the fields of Pennsylvania. Our world has been forever changed by terrorism.
Where can we find peace in such a world?
In the Bible, peace is more than the absence of war. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. According to the Tyndale Bible Dictionary “Shalom was the desired state of harmony and communion between the two covenant partners—God and his people.”[1]
The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be known as the Prince of Peace. Listen to what he said:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.[2]
Yes, Jesus came to give you and me peace. Not simply the absence of war but a relationship of harmony and communion between us and God.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
How does one experience this wonderful relationship of peace with God?
In Romans, the Apostle Paul writes…
…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…[3]
Peace with God comes through trusting one’s life into the hands of our God based on the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ who took care of our sin and guilt on the cross. The cross, in Roman times, was viewed as an instrument of death. Now, through the work of our Prince of Peace, that cross is a picture of God’s outstretched, nail-scarred hands, reaching out to give us peace.
Do you have peace with God? Those nail-scarred hands are still reaching out. Will you grasp them? If so, would you email me and let me know? Click here to email me.
[1] Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). In Tyndale Bible dictionary (p. 1004). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. (2005). (Jn 14:27). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[3] The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. (2005). (Ro 5:1–2). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
We live in a world that has been ravaged by war and hostility for most of its history. Recently my wife and I visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. Many of you listening remember that act of war that took place on our continent in 2001—not only in New York but at the Pentagon and in the fields of Pennsylvania. Our world has been forever changed by terrorism.
Where can we find peace in such a world?
In the Bible, peace is more than the absence of war. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. According to the Tyndale Bible Dictionary “Shalom was the desired state of harmony and communion between the two covenant partners—God and his people.”[1]
The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be known as the Prince of Peace. Listen to what he said:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.[2]
Yes, Jesus came to give you and me peace. Not simply the absence of war but a relationship of harmony and communion between us and God.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
How does one experience this wonderful relationship of peace with God?
In Romans, the Apostle Paul writes…
…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…[3]
Peace with God comes through trusting one’s life into the hands of our God based on the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ who took care of our sin and guilt on the cross. The cross, in Roman times, was viewed as an instrument of death. Now, through the work of our Prince of Peace, that cross is a picture of God’s outstretched, nail-scarred hands, reaching out to give us peace.
Do you have peace with God? Those nail-scarred hands are still reaching out. Will you grasp them? If so, would you email me and let me know? Click here to email me.
[1] Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). In Tyndale Bible dictionary (p. 1004). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. (2005). (Jn 14:27). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[3] The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. (2005). (Ro 5:1–2). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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