PEACE
INTENTION:
John Lennon’s Imagine
envisioned a world with peace. However, it was often a world ‘without’
something. Yet the Lord understands there will always be something in this
world that will create conflict to try and disrupt our own peace. However, it
is not the lack of conflict that brings peace, but the ability to maintain a
personal peace in whatever comes your way—allowing your relationship with the Lord
to bring you peace in the midst of conflict.
We can live a life,
both at peace with God, and having a peace in this conflicting world.
( DOWNLOAD BIBLE STUDY PREFACE AS PDF )
I.
TOPIC:
We want to look at God’s Peace—firstly His peace toward us, then
what it looks like in us as Christians. When you go through the following
scripture reading, focus on understanding what this kind of Peace is and how it
might differ from what you have thought, or what the world expects peace to be.
I like this quote from Bill Johnson in this regard:
“For most people, peace is a time without war, or a time without
conflict, or as simple as a time without noise. Take note that it’s always the
absence of something. In the Kingdom of God, peace is the presence of someone.
Peace is a person. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When the prevailing influence
on our hearts and minds is the presence of Jesus, we have peace that conquers.
The wonderful reality of this kind of peace is that it is not defined or
controlled by its surroundings. This kind of peace changes its surroundings.
Jesus slept in a storm and then released peace over that storm, and the storm
stopped (Mark 4:35-41). What was in Him influenced what happened around
Him.”
Furthermore, when we read of Peace in a passage, it is often
the following Greek word with diverse meaning:
Peace – G1515: eirene
1. a state of
national tranquillity
a. exemption
from the rage and havoc of war
2.
peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3.
security,
safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things
safe and prosperous)
4.
of the Messiah's peace
a.
the way that leads to peace (salvation)
5.
of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul
assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and
content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
6. the
blessed state of devout and upright men after death
After the reading, there are related verses that will ask some questions for you to think through and respond to.
- Refer also: Bible Study Lesson 043 – Storms of Life
II.
READING: Romans
5:1-21 (AMP)
Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted
of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that]
we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our
Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 2 Through Him we also have
access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and
safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident
assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the
manifestation of His excellence and power]. 3 And not only this, but [with joy]
let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that
hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and
endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope
and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 5 Such hope [in God’s promises]
never disappoints us, because God’s love has
been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was
given to us.
6 While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our
salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. 7
Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an
upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and
worthy] someone might even dare to die. 8 But God clearly shows and proves His
own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt
of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from
the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were
reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having
been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His
life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. 11 Not only that,
but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our
Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our
reconciliation [with God].
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one
man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to
stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned. 13 Sin was [committed]
in the world before the Law [was given], but sin is not charged [against
anyone] when there is no law [against it]. 14 Yet death ruled [over mankind]
from Adam to Moses [the Lawgiver], even over those who had not sinned as Adam
did. Adam is a type of Him (Christ) who was to come [but in reverse—Adam
brought destruction, Christ brought salvation].
15 But the free gift [of God] is not like the trespass
[because the gift of grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one
man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the
gift [that comes] by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to
[benefit] the many. 16 Nor is the gift [of grace] like that which came through
the one who sinned. For on the one hand the judgment [following the sin]
resulted from one trespass and brought condemnation, but on the other hand the
free gift resulted from many trespasses and brought justification [the release
from sin’s penalty for those who believe]. 17 For if by the trespass of the one
(Adam), death reigned through the one (Adam), much more surely will those who
receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in
[eternal] life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one trespass [Adam’s sin] there
resulted condemnation for all men, even so through one act of righteousness
there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For just as through one
man’s disobedience [his failure to hear, his carelessness] the many were made
sinners, so through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made
righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him. 20
But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining
and unmasking sin]. But where sin increased, [God’s remarkable, gracious gift
of] grace [His unmerited favour] has surpassed it and increased all the more,
21 so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through
righteousness which brings eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
III.
RELATED VERSES AND QUESTIONS:
A. Luke
2:8-14 (AMP) {PoG}
In the same region there
were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by
night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of
the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good
news of great joy which will be for all the people. 11 For this day in the city
of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord (the
Messiah). 12 And this will be a sign for you by which you will recognize Him]:
you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.” 13
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
(angelic army) praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the
highest [heaven], And on earth peace, {goodwill toward men!}”
Question: Do we see peace on earth? Who is this
peace from; who is this peace to?
B. 2
John 1:3 (AMP)
Grace, mercy, and peace
(inner calm, a sense of spiritual well-being) will be with us, from God the
Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.
Question: The disciples often start their
letters in the Bible with this phrase; do you think it applies to you?
C. John
14:25-28 (AMP)
“I have told you these
things while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate,
Intercessor—Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My
behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything
that I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to
you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be
troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every
circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
Question: Whom is the source of this “perfect
peace”?
D. 1
Corinthians 14:33a (AMP)
for God [who is the source
of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and
order.
Question: Do you view God as peaceful? Why?
E. 2
Corinthians 13:11 (AMP) {PoG}
Finally, believers,
rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded,
live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk
closely with God]; and {indeed} the God of love and peace [the source of
lovingkindness] will be with you.
Question: How do we live in peace?
F. Galatians
5:22-23 (AMP) {PoG}
But the fruit of the
Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for
others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act
while waiting], kindness, goodness, {faith}, 23 gentleness, self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Question: How can we nurture and experience this
fruit of “inner peace” in us?
G. Ephesians
6:13-17 (AMP)
Therefore, put on the
complete armour of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and
stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that
the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable,
victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide
band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having
put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 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]. 16
Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Question: What does the “gospel of peace” mean
to you, and how can it help you?
H. Philippians
4:4-7 (AMP)
Rejoice in the Lord always
[delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle
spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be
known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about
anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and
petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to
God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace]
which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
Question: Do you have peace in yourself if you
ask God for something in your life?
I.
James
3:17-18 (AMP)
But the wisdom from above
is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving
[courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of
compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous]
hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. 18 And the seed whose fruit is
righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by
actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].
Question: God’s wisdom is always peace-loving;
how does this compare to the world’s wisdom to you?
J.
2
Peter 1:2 (AMP)
Grace and peace [that
special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true,
intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Question: Does knowledge of God always bring
grace and peace to you?
IV.
FURTHER THOUGHT:
A. Romans
14:17 (AMP) {PoG}
for the kingdom of God is
not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes] {rituals and what goes
into your body}, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit {what
Lives in and manifests out from you}.
Thoughts: Too often we focus on what happens
around us or goes into us that we seek peace through. But we can experience
true peace by recognising the Holy Spirit (and His fruit) inside of us—and that
we do not have to attain (work for) righteousness, nor peace or joy; it has
been Gifted in us, for us. And we have free and unlimited access to this!
This focus on the Kingdom of God is meant to also say,
“don’t focus on your situation (lack of peace)”. Not that we are to ignore it,
but to bring it to the Lord for His guidance with the innate TRUST that no
matter what, He will do His utmost to help you in your situation and bring good
from it. But that, also, while it is happening, your trust in Him to care for
you (in essence) helps you maintain a peace.
V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & SUPPORT:
A thank you to Kelly and Joshua who are inspirational in this life-journey. And to all the family, friends, sponsors, and donors who have fed into this ministry and outreach.
If you would like to support this ministry and outreach, you may do so via our website or at:
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