True Peace - Only God Can Give It

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:7

Peace is such a precious commodity. People try all sorts of things to obtain peace within themselves in order to calm their inner demons. Still others do all in their power to strive for world peace. For all of our striving and yearning, the word of God has already laid out the plan to obtain perfect peace within yourself, with others and with God. God promises us peace even as we are instructed to follow peace.  We are told in no uncertain terms to follow peace with all men and holiness without which no one will see God.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14

How do we follow peace? Specific instructions are outlined in the word of God on how to obtain peace:

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  James 3:17

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with  you.   Philippians 4:8-9

From these two scriptures alone, we can immediately see two things - peace comes from above and secondly, peace is found through obedience to God.

There are many other scriptures that tell us how to obtain and/or keep peace in our lives:

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.  1 Corinthians 14:33

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15

But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.    1 Timothy 2:22

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.  1 Peter 3:8-11

√     God promises us peace:

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. Isaiah 32:17

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalms 37:37

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. . . 2 Thessalonians 3:16

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 afraid.  John 14:27

We should learn to guard our peace and under no circumstances let it diminish or leave us.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Mark 9:50

We can learn a lesson from this Aesop fable. It depicts a false promise of peace: 

Once upon a time, the wolves sent an embassy to the sheep, desiring that there might be peace between them for the time to come. "Why," said they, "should we be forever waging this deadly strife? Those wicked dogs are the cause of all; they are incessantly barking at us and provoking us. Send them away, and there will be no longer any obstacle to our eternal friendship and peace." The silly sheep listened, the dogs were dismissed, and the flock, thus deprived of their best protectors, became an easy prey to their treacherous enemy. Can we trust just anyone who wants peace? 

 Here’s what the word of God says about false peace:

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.  Psalms 28:3

Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: Ezekiel 13:10

All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him. Obadiah 1:7

Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Micah 3:5

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.   1 Thessalonians 5:3

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2:16

Because the prince of this world has blinded the eyes of many, they do not recognize true peace. 

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted . . . John 12:40

During man's entire history there have been only a very few years of global peace. The leaders and false prophets lie to the people, "saying, ‘Peace, peace!' when there is no peace". Can the wicked have peace? Here is what the word of God declares:

All his days the wicked man suffers torment throughout the number of the years that are stored up for the tyrant. Job 15:20

There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked. Isaiah 48:22

I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isaiah 57:19-21

The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Isaiah 59:8

They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.  Jeremiah 6:14

For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Jeremiah 8:11

God has called us to peace. He expects us to keep His commandments, and in return He gives us peace of mind.  

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7  

Sin separates man from God, causing a confrontational relationship with Him. This is anything but peaceful! Peace leads to more peace, washing away strife and fear as a river sweeps away debris.  It is a commandment of God to all of His saints:

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18

But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.  1 Corinthians 7:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14

√      God calls us to obedience in relation to peace.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. Psalms 119:165-166

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Proverbs 3:1-2

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:  Isaiah 48:18

We have "peace through the blood of Jesus' cross," that is, through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ in life and death. It opened the way for peace between man and God and between man and man. We have already seen that the peace of which Jesus speaks has a different source than the world's. But there is another element that is greatly different. The world's peace is caused by created things and the manipulations of carnal beings. Our past proves that the restless strivings of men for the peaceful promise of power, wealth and fame instead leaves them with care, anxiety and remorse. God has not given created things the power to give peace. The result is that once someone attains these things, the endless cycle to maintain or achieve their desired peace will only begin again.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) Acts 10:36

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:19-20

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.   2 Thessalonians 3:16

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, 

live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.  

2 Corinthians 13:11

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