Having Peace in a Hostile World

Having peace is one of the most important characteristics of your Christian walk; it goes hand in hand with love and forgiveness. Godly peace is packed with many benefits including facing eternity confidently. 

True peace can never be accomplished by adhering the worlds standards; after all, it's what takes place in the world that actually steals our peace - Revelation 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. 

The world's standard on achieving peace is:

• Spending time in nature.
• Being true to yourself.
• Clean Eating.
• Stick to a regular Workout Program.
• Do Good Deeds.
• Say NO to people.
• Meditating.

This is a shallow way to attempt to attain true peace. Besides, like an addiction, you have to keep doing it in order to have some sort of peace in your life. In my own personal experience, I've learned that you either have peace, or you don't.

As Christians, we are called to live in peace even though we live in a hostile world. How do we achieve peace? Let's look at scripture and examine how we can achieve it in our daily lives:

Don't just do good deeds, give them their true meaning! Galatians 5:22-23 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

We can have peace by being confident and not letting fear plague us. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

We have peace by being kind and gentle. Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the ”  

We have peace by living righteous lives. Psalm 85:10 “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

We have peace by submitting ourselves to God. Job 22:21 “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”

We have peace by being honest. Psalm 35:20 “For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.”

We have peace by walking with integrity. Psalm 37:37 “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”

We have peace when we avoid deceit. Proverbs 12:20 “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.”

We have peace when we avoid jealousy and refrain from getting even with people. Proverbs 14:30 “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”

We have peace when we choose to be God fearing and God pleasing. Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

We have peace through self-discipline. Galatians 6:16 “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”

We have peace by recognizing and destroying barriers that keep us from being unified. Ephesians 2:14 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”

We have peace by sharing and hearing the Good News!!! Ephesians 2:17 “and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”  Ephesians 6:15 (Amplified - Classic)“and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].”

We have peace when work together toward the common goal - which is Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:3 “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

We have peace through Christ Jesus even when we fail to understand what's happening. I myself have recently put this one into affect; It Works! Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

We have peace when our thoughts are lovely and pleasing to God. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

We have peace by practising Christianity as opposed to just being mere believers. Philippians 4:9 “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

We have peace by our freedom the burden of sin. Luke 7:50 “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

We have peace when we make peace with our enemies.  Unresolved issues between people leads to undue tension. Through reconciliation, we are restored. Matthew 5:24 “leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

We have peace because we are in His Likeness! Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

We have peace when we let go of our excuses. Philippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

By practising peace, peace is multiplied to you. Jude 1:2 (Amplified - Classic)“May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you [filling your heart with the spiritual well-being and serenity experienced by those who walk closely with God].”

We touch the very heart of God when we pursue a lifestyle of peace and unify the Body of Christ! Matthew 5:9 “ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Jesus promised to give us His peace, but we must do our part and let our heart not fail us. John 14:27 “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.”

Our job is never to get-even with people; our job is to keep peace. God's righteous judgement is designed to achieve His goal - salvation! When your goal is to get even, you clearly are out to destroy that person, and by doing so, it comes with a consequence. Destroying someone is never a good idea because it is contrary to a life of peace. Deuteronomy 32:35 says “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”

Godly peace, is the only peace that offers an internal [eternal, permanent condition of the heart that expresses joy and serenity] advantage. Psalm 29:11“The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” As you make peace your habit, strength and joy will be your lifestyle.

God Bless,

Maria