RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-04-16	Peace with God — Peace of God
		Biblical Peace: Peace with God and Peace of God Humanly speaking peace is defined in using negative terms. That is, to be without trouble or without conflict. Being free from the things that cause you to be fearful, anxious, or depressed. This is the only peace the world can offer. This is a transcendent false peace based on ignorance (1Th.5:3). Job 5:7  Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. How many peace treaties have been signed and broken throughout human history? All of them! Historians have defined peace in the world as the lull in the battle when everybody stops to reload. The world's pseudo peace is the bliss of ignorance. The seeming peace a sinner has is not from the knowledge of his happiness, but the ignorance of his danger. People will settle for an ignorant answer than face a Biblical reality. Isa 48:22 "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked." The Bible's description of peace is based on positive truths. The Old Testament word for peace is “shalom” which has the meaning of 'a wish for completeness'. The New Testament word is “eirene” and has the idea of 'a satisfied soul'. True peace can only be found in Christ. People lack peace. This is not an emotional, psychological or circumstantial issue. This is a theological and spiritual issue. Only those who know Jesus can have (1) peace with God; and (2) the peace of God. 1. OBJECTIVE “PEACE WITH GOD” — Work of God This is the sovereign work of God outside of ourselves. We were enemies! Now we are reconciled to God (Rm.5:10; 2Co.5:18-21). This is the external reality of God justifying us. This means God did it, not us. It is outside of us. Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 2Co 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation How did God reconcile us? He put our sins on Christ, then judged Him. Since our sins were paid in full, all we have to do is believe and we are reconciled to God. That is the kind of peace we are talking about. (Cl.1:20-22) Col 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. The Gospel of peace is the message that enemies can be reconciled, and that peace was made through the blood of the cross. The rebellion has ended. The enemies have become sons of God! That is the objective peace with God. 2. SUBJECTIVE “PEACE OF GOD” — Attitude of Man This peace is built on the internal reality of a God who can be trusted. It starts by realizing we have been reconciled to God. Our experiential peace is connected to our trust of God. Where does that peace come from? It comes from perfect trust in the Father. Because we have the objective peace of being righteous and justified the result is that we experience peace. Biblical peace is connected to Christ. Php 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. SUMMARY: The Bible shows us that Biblical peace has both an objective (peace with God) and a subjective (peace of God) sense. The objective peace “with God” (Rm.5:1) leads to the subjective peace “of God” (Ph.4:9). Paul's prayer is that we would enjoy the peace that comes from Christ (2Th.3:16) 2Th 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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