Advent Study # 2 – Peace
Scriptures for Peace
Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law. (Luke 12:51-53)
Comment
Since God becomes first priority in a believer’s life, that often evokes jealousy in spouses, parents and siblings, who feel slighted. 
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. (John 14:27)
Comment
This is not a worldly peace, that is the absence of turmoil, but a heavenly peace that surmounts all worldly turmoil. Jesus gives a peace that is eternal not temporal.
Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:11-18)
Comment
Jesus Christ has reconciled sinful unbelievers who were at war with God, rebelling against His holiness and His Commandments. His reconciliation through the blood of the cross has settled the war between a person and God. Jesus has drawn the elect into the spiritual realm of the Father. He has thereby bestowed His peace on all believers, making them of one fellowship, i.e. brothers and sisters in Christ. All then have the same goals to love and the glorify God and one another.
If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18)
Comment
Be peaceable and trust the Holy Spirit to make up any differences between the believer and others.
Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.
Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)
Comment
If believers start by thinking of all the good in Christ, they will then be led to passing on to him all their anxieties. In so doing, the believer is relieved and has room for the peace of God to rule in his heart.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Comment
As the Holy Spirit matures us, He will engender the blessed fruit of peace in our lives.
Questions for Peace
Is it possible that these passages in Luke and John are both true? If so, how?
Answer: God’s peace is for His elect. Those who are enmity with God will have no godly peace in this life or in eternity. The turmoil in families comes from the fact that one or more members of a family have surrendered to Jesus and others have not. This conflict of loyalties unhappily leads to resentment, dissension and contention.
How could Jesus, who was born to die and who was chased all over Israel by the needy, enemies, and the paparazzi of the day have peace to give away?
Answer: The peace that God gives is spiritual and is not disrupted by worldly cares.
Why is the command of Romans 12 conditional?
Answer: Paul recognizes the limitations of the believer as well as the receptivity of those around the believer.
What would it actually mean to have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding”?
Answer: When all the world around a believer is in confusion, turmoil and even angry contention, the believer is unaffected and can with equanimity offer wisdom to bring God’s peace into an ungodly situation.
Reflection Question:
How can one sing about peace in the midst of conflict?
Answer: The peace of God is beyond human control. In the midst of the worst, when we have placed our trust in Christ, He manifests His peace in our hearts. When we are confident that our lives are in Christ, hid in God, the problems that the world throws at us have negligible effect on us. When “nevertheless no longer I live, But Christ lives in me, even threats to our lives are of no consequence. As long as I live, I am in Christ. When I die, whether in bed, or under persecution, I am secure in Christ.
With that stance of faith, we can be at peace and sing of the glory of God, and sing in peace of the joy of the Lord, of the hope of the Lord and of the love of the Lord.
Paul and Silas were beaten bloody and the placed in prison , with their feet in stocks.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; (Acts 6:23-25)
Pain, dire circumstances are of no consequence when we are in Christ and walking in obedience.
Christ’s peace reigns.
