Peace With Him
As we contemplate a season of celebration, a season of love, a season of peace, how would we
find that peace that seems so many cannot find. Where can it be found, can anyone help us find
it, or can it not even be found? We can go to One whose name is Peace, as the Apostle Paul
refers to Him as the God of peace in Romans 15:33, and 16:20. But is that all there is to it? Can
we just think of this One and automatically have peace? And since most people believe there is a
God, does that guarantee that all will have peace? Let’s look at a verse that gives us some insight
on this illusive peace.
Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men, with whom He is
pleased.” The angels bring this good news of a great joy, but the qualification is peace will only
come to those that He is well pleased with. Who is in this group? Heb.11:4, “Without faith it is
impossible to please God.” So not all will enjoy this peace, the same as Rom.8:28 that says,
“God works all things together for those who love God.” Not all have faith, and not all have love
toward Him. So, faith is the key instrument, a trust in One we cannot see, a belief in One that is
above all. Rom.10:17, “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Faith is
essential, necessary, and invaluable to finding peace.
And this faith must be the key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace that comes through
the promises of God. And here are a few you can treasure in your heart not only in this Advent
season, but all throughout the year. Rom.15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing.” John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.” Only
Jesus can give this peace. For way back in Isaiah 9:6, He is referred to as the Prince of Peace. In
Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in
You.” And one more from the Lord Jesus in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you so
that in Me you may have peace, in the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have
overcome the world.”
Being reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to have peace. We begin
and continue our life of rebellion, hatred, and enmity toward God, until He draws us toward
Himself by the power of the Holy Spirit, by being born again, regenerated, becoming a new
creature in Christ. And Col.1:22, “yet He has reconciled you in His fleshly body through death,
in order to present you before Him holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.” What perfect peace
we can surely have by trusting in these promises. And one more, from Rom.5:1, “Since we have
been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” May you have
this peace this Advent season, and throughout this upcoming year! May you say with hymn
writer Horacio Stafford, “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea
billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”
Merry Christmas,
Elder Randy Slak
find that peace that seems so many cannot find. Where can it be found, can anyone help us find
it, or can it not even be found? We can go to One whose name is Peace, as the Apostle Paul
refers to Him as the God of peace in Romans 15:33, and 16:20. But is that all there is to it? Can
we just think of this One and automatically have peace? And since most people believe there is a
God, does that guarantee that all will have peace? Let’s look at a verse that gives us some insight
on this illusive peace.
Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men, with whom He is
pleased.” The angels bring this good news of a great joy, but the qualification is peace will only
come to those that He is well pleased with. Who is in this group? Heb.11:4, “Without faith it is
impossible to please God.” So not all will enjoy this peace, the same as Rom.8:28 that says,
“God works all things together for those who love God.” Not all have faith, and not all have love
toward Him. So, faith is the key instrument, a trust in One we cannot see, a belief in One that is
above all. Rom.10:17, “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Faith is
essential, necessary, and invaluable to finding peace.
And this faith must be the key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace that comes through
the promises of God. And here are a few you can treasure in your heart not only in this Advent
season, but all throughout the year. Rom.15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing.” John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.” Only
Jesus can give this peace. For way back in Isaiah 9:6, He is referred to as the Prince of Peace. In
Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in
You.” And one more from the Lord Jesus in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you so
that in Me you may have peace, in the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have
overcome the world.”
Being reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to have peace. We begin
and continue our life of rebellion, hatred, and enmity toward God, until He draws us toward
Himself by the power of the Holy Spirit, by being born again, regenerated, becoming a new
creature in Christ. And Col.1:22, “yet He has reconciled you in His fleshly body through death,
in order to present you before Him holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.” What perfect peace
we can surely have by trusting in these promises. And one more, from Rom.5:1, “Since we have
been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” May you have
this peace this Advent season, and throughout this upcoming year! May you say with hymn
writer Horacio Stafford, “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea
billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”
Merry Christmas,
Elder Randy Slak