THE MPN HOME PAGEINDEX PAGE for all MPN Topical Bible StudiesIncomparable PeaceINTRODUCTION: The peace, or tranquility of heart and mind, that is given to each believer by the LORD God is unequaled by anything a person can ever have apart from God; and in fact it cannot even be fully understood. It is available only through God's grace gift of salvation to eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus as he is revealed in the Bible. The believer is then sealed by The Holy Spirit to have the absolute and unchangeable promise of everlasting peace from God. NOTE: All scripture is from the World English Bible. A - THE LORD GIVES PEACE THAT IS PAST HUMAN UNDERSTANDINGIsaiah 9 "6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this." Isaiah 54 "10 For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed," says Yahweh who has mercy on you." John 14 "22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. 24 He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me. 25 I have said these things to you, while still living with you. 26 But the counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful." John 16 "33 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world." 17:1 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; 2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him." Philippians 4 "6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honourable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things." COMMENTS: Many centuries ahead, the LORD God promised the birth of a child who would be given as the very Son of God. He would rule in an everlasting government above all governments. he alone is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government of peace will never end, as he rules from the promised throne of David to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. This will be brought to pass by the zeal of the LORD of Hosts. The everlasting peace and loving kindness to believers is through God's mercy, and his covenant of peace will never be removed even if monumental disastrous events take place in the world. The Word of God in the Holy Scriptures supplies the guidance into peace for the believer. God the Father sent Jesus the Son of God, to provide the way of salvation for the soul of each one who accepts that gift by faith as we await the return of Christ. The Holy Spirit sent by the Father in the name of Jesus will teach believers all things, and will counsel and remind them of all that Jesus said while among men. This is the source of peace unattainable in any way in the world apart from Christ, as believers make changes the Lord desires in them. Don't compare God's everlasting peace to the wavering and temporary peace that depends on favorable situations or conditions around you. Trust God to keep your heart from being troubled or fearful because believers are not excluded from having such experiences while still in the world. Paul advised the believers at Philippi that When anything begins to bring anxiety, that is the time to make request to God by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Paul also directs believers to be responsible to apply the Word of God continually in our thoughts thereby making those truths the primary motivation for our actions. Make a conscious effort to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, or of good report. B - GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE ALL COME FROM FAITH IN THE LORDRomans 1 "1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God, 2 which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; 6 among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 1 "1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope; 2 to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." Titus 1 "1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who can't lie, promised before time began; 3 but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour." 2 John 1 "1 The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth; 2 for the truth's sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." Hebrews 13 "20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." COMMENTS: Paul regularly spoke of peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in the opening of his letters. What a blessing to be called of God by his grace to be among the saints of God who forever have the grace, mercy, and peace of the LORD God. The New Testament letters to believers assure that the peace from God is far superior to any measure of peace that could be gained only through personal effort. Believers are to remember the Mercy and grace from God which motivates them to do good works well pleasing in his sight according to his will, through Jesus Christ. All the glory for our changed lives should be genuinely directed to the Lord for ever and ever. C - SEEK PEACE WITH OTHERS TO SERVE THE GOD OF PEACEPsalm 34 "14 Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it." Colossians 3 "12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Romans 12 "18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 19 Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."" 1 Peter 3 "9 not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it." COMMENTS: Psalms and Proverbs can often supply very condensed sayings applicable to believers in any age, and the value of earnestly seeking peace is among such passages. New Testament passages remind believers that they have been chosen by God, and therefore should have heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, and patience toward others. If it is necessary to forgive another believer or a non-believer, remember to be like Christ who has forgiven you in love. Be thankful as you let the peace from God rule in your heart. So, do as much as you can to be at peace with all other people, and especially let God's wrath take precedence over your own wrath. Turn away from any evil and seek peace with the hope of that approach leading to blessings for all who are affected in the situation. D - TURN YOUR THOUGHTS TO EVERLASTING PEACE IN HEAVENColossians 3 "1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, and then you will also be revealed with him in glory." 2Corinthians 13 "11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Thessalonians 3 "16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all." Romans 8 "38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 15 "13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit." COMMENTS: Each Christian is in a process of transformation to cultivate a predominant desire for things that are important in heaven, not the temporal values presently on earth. The eternal life of a believer is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ returns, believers will be with him in glory. Meanwhile, if we live in peace, comforted by God as we rejoice together, the God of love and peace will be with us. The scripture has promised that nothing of any description or power can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We should look to the God of hope to fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may have an abundance of that sure hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. --- REFLECTIONS IN PRAYER ---Thank you my LORD and my God for peace in my heart, mind, and soul that you have given to me as a grace gift of your great love. There were many years in my life that I could not even imagine the difference you could make in my life if I would come to the point of surrender of my own desires and goals. I now know the mysterious and wonderful salvation of my soul since I asked in faith for Christ to take control of my life. My purpose and my hope are continually being changed by your Word through your grace, mercy, and peace; even when my weakness in the flesh blurs my perception of that truth. help me, Lord, to be more diligent and effective in seeking peace with all other people that I might serve you, the God of peace. Lord, when I begin to drift away from your Kingdom with a lust for the temporal offerings of the present world, draw me back to you by your love and mercy. Lord, if I allow cares and fears to cloud my heart and mind, I ask that you turn my thoughts back to the everlasting peace I will have with you in heaven. All glory and praise to my Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen. Published 31 July 2017 |