By Pastor Jack Marbida
When you say “Peace be with you” to somebody, you are wishing prosperity. The world has different definitions of peace. When you have a lot of money, you have peace. But what if it is gone? Know that with or without peace, God will never change.
John 14:27 says, “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.” Jesus said his to His apostle when He was about to leave this world. In Luke 24:36, it says “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” The Hebrew word for “peace” is Shalom. Shalom means to be complete. In the Old Testament, Gideon, in Judges 6:24, built an altar and called it “The Lord is Peace.” Even Paul said in Ephesians 2:14, that Christ Himself gave us peace when He united the Jews and the Gentiles. The world can give you peace but the peace of Jesus Christ is different from that of the world. If you do not understand His death on the cross, you will not understand the peace that only He can give.
Do you want to have peace in life? Then you should:
Have peace with God - How will you have that if you do not know Him? C. S. Lewis said, “God cannot give us peace and happiness apart from Christ Jesus.” That is why your prayer should be that everybody will be in Christ. Psalms 91:1-2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Charles Spurgeon, in his book, The Treasury of David, says that dwelling in God’s presence means sitting and staying still. You cannot dwell in His presence if you are not willing to be overcome by Him. If you do not have a relationship with God, you will get tired if you only and always rely on your own resources. Romans8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Having peace with God helps you rest in the knowledge that He has a plan. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” You know that God will provide for all your needs. Do not be troubled. There might be lack, but God will never fail. If that is not how you feel, then maybe your knowledge of God is also lacking. You may be lacking in faith.
Have peace within yourself - Peace is having the confidence in who you are. You are made in God’s image and likeness. For you to have peace in life, do not try to seek the approval of anyone here on earth. God loves you. You are His child. Even if people tell you straight to your face that you are ugly, be confident that God made you just the way He wanted you to be. Remind yourself all the time that you are God’s child. 2 Corinthians. 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” You are a new creation in Christ. Be at peace with that. John 1:12 also says “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”
Have peace with others - How can you have peace with God and with yoursef if you are not at peace with so many people? If you are with God, this will be easy to do. But if not, this will be very difficult feat. Mother Teresa said, “Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families.” Peace with others begins in your inner circle, the family. If you understand this, then use it to your advantage. It will be difficult to forgive and have peace if God is not in you. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Matthew 5:9 says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Peace is not easy but it is beautiful. 1 John 3:15 also says “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” Peace be with you.