Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the seventh spiritual journey, which is conciliation or the act of procuring peace. This action marks peace and public or particular tranquility; but often it’s also for prosperity, happiness of the present life: Examples: “go in peace, die in peace, may God give you peace; Peace be in this house.” To pray for peace of a city is to wish it every kind of happiness.
It signifies the opposite of the state of war as the state of the soul that lives in communion with God. And the state of peace brings with it security, prosperity, and happiness.
It is in this sense that peace is considered as one of the characteristics of the future Messianic Kingdom. And the peace of the soul, the tranquility of the heart are found only in God. It is the one that the Lord Jesus gave to his disciples, saying to them: I give you my peace. Indeed, we read in John 14:27: “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.”
This term means peace of heart. And that’s the one Jesus leaves to his disciples and is only found in Him. Moreover, the first condition of this precious peace is the reconciliation and union of man with God, fruit of the mediation of the Redeemer.
So, the ideal of Messianic peace remains, and the sons of God are known to strive for the peace which only their Father can give completely, whether it be peace between the men or peace of mind. This is why Jesus declares in Matthew 5.9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
- A number of biblical verses express this urgent need and allow us to better understand the concept of peace:
-2 Kings 20.19 “The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?”
-Psa 126.2 “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
-Psa 73.28 “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”
-Isaiah 54.13 “All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.”
-Lam 3.17 “I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.”
-Psa 119.165 “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
-Pro 12.20 “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”
-Isa 26.3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
-Isa 48.22 “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”
-John 16.33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-Luc 1.79 “to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
- Proximity to God is therefore essential to live in peace, in total trust in Him.
a) Peace has become the content of Christian greetings, applying to the spiritual life the vow of every oriental greeting: one wishes oneself peace by finding oneself and leaving one another; it is thus mentioned at the beginning or at the end of all the epistles, except that of James and 1 John.
b) Those who make peace are those who are peaceful themselves, who after having found peace, strive to procure it for others and to restore it among men, where it is troubled. They are happy because they are called from this glorious title “sons of God”, because as long as they produce peace as such, they have the likeness of their father who is “the God of peace” (Rom 16:20; Cor 13:11) they act according to his Spirit.
- Therefore
a) Peace with God is obtained by faith and flows from justification. “We have been reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” This reconciliation allows the Christian to enjoy “peace of God that surpasses all understanding” and who, keeping his heart and his thoughts, will incline him to the peaceful spirit in his daily life.
b) This spirit of peace is one of the first fruits of the Spirit and is inseparable from gratitude, joy, contentment of spirit. It results from a victory that the believer wins over external difficulties such as illnesses, infirmities, privations, unhealthy diet, tedious task or excessive work, painful surroundings, inequalities or injustices, and which risk disturbing his spiritual peace and making from him a “dissatisfied”.
- The following verses further specify the need to live in peace:
-Romans 5:10 “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
-Philippians 4: 7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Galates 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”
Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Romans 14: 7 “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.”
-Philippians 4: 10-12 “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
-they are sons of God, but in addition, they will be called such, will be recognized to them of God and of all.
For the characteristics of the kingdom of God show that it is reserved for those who, like him, are gentle and humble of heart, who bear witness to kindness and commit themselves for Jesus, to become the sons of the kingdom.
Rom 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Luke 20.36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.
- Peace in human relations:
-with the others: Rom 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Heb 12.14 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
1 P 3.11 “They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
-within the Church: Acts 9.31 “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”
Rom 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
2 Cor 13.11 “ Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
For the rest, brethren, be joyful, perfect yourself, comfort yourself, have the same feeling, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Eph 2: 14-17 “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near”
- Peace obtained in a personal way:
-with yourself: Psa 4.8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
Pro 12.20 “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”
-In our relationship with God: Num 6:26 “the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Esa 26.3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Rom. 5.1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Php 4.7-9 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Col 1:20 “and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
- Jesus is our peace:
– He is announced as Prince of Peace: Isa 9.6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
-by him comes the good news of peace : Isa 52.7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Act 10.36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
-He allows us to die in peace Luke 2.29-31 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:”
It follows from the foregoing that the hunger and thirst for the inner justice that many people feel deprived of, is only achieved by turning to the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace. For every soul that experiences it before God will be satisfied, satisfied with justice, since it is of justice that it is hungry and thirsty. The divine promises are true and following the will of God, you become sons of God working especially for conciliation, for peace. This is our prayer for your salvation.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all adoration, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to your questions and comments, before sharing with you next week on the eighth step of spiritual ascension which is “suffering and sacrifice.”
May the Lord God Almighty bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord of hosts.
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