For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Yesterday we looked at some of the Old Testament descriptions of peace. Those definitions associated peace with possessions or circumstances. The New Testament associated peace with spiritual blessing:
Peace occurs in association with righteousness- Only one who has peace can be a peacemaker and know the clear conscience of peace. The “harvest of righteousness” is a joy and pride in who you are. You don’t “find” peace…you create the circumstances for it to come. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18
Peace occurs in association with grace- The Old Testament focused on attainingpeace and the New Testament focused on receivingpeace. You cannot find peace without grace for you cannot experience salvation and forgiveness without grace. Until you accept grace there is no peace. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Peace occurs in association with mercy and love- It is from God’s mercy and love that His grace comes down. May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. Jude 1:2
Peace occurs in association with believing- FAITH is required for anyone seeking peace. Without faith a person would have to know that they are capable of controlling all things that could trouble them. Faith is in a person…not a circumstance or physical resource. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Peace occurs in association with the Holy Spirit- One of the Fruits of the Spirit is Peace. It comes with the presence of Christ in our lives. As we set our minds on the Spirit our lives will unfold in such a way that we experience real peace. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
So, exactly what is the peace that the Prince of Peace brings?
Real Peace Is – Uniting Separated Parts
If getting all things and people in our lives to exist in order and without chaos is the demand to know peace we are doomed! We live in a chaotic world with chaotic people creating chaos. Peace is available to us because it is not dependent on this world or the circumstances of life. If chaos is the disorder of life, then peace is finding order in life. The Prince of Peace “holds all things together.” This Christmas, turn it all over to Him – the one who can handle it all. Put it all in His hands – the gifts, the parties, the plans, the family. Let Him do what only He is capable of doing, being the Lord of all. Believe in His power and ability and rest in the peace that comes from submitting to Him.
Scripture to Claim:
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 NASB
