The Peace of Christ

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. This familiar Pauline salutation grabs our attention by its pure volume. Grace is a Christian term, whereas, the world shares the word “peace” with Christ’s church. They have different meanings in the two different contexts, however. In His farewell discourse, Jesus spoke of peace as His own, differentiated from the peace that the world gives to people (Jn 14:27). The issue is who or what actually gives peace because there is a source and a quality to all peace.

During the Roman empire, there was Pax Romana, the peace of Rome. The empire came to a people group and called for submission. If the people subjected themselves to the empire, they received peace (and additional taxes!) from their new lords. If they resisted, they were crushed into submission, resulting in peace.

In the world, peace has proven elusive throughout history. Any peace secured is temporary at best. It remains fluid in a world of sin. Peace often requires both a cache of weapons and the will to use them. Politicians assure us that they are the ones to secure peace and prosperity for the population. Peace and safety is often their campaign slogan followed by destruction (1 Thess 5:3). The true path of peace they have not known (Rom 3:17).

Even the best attempt, even pseudo-achievement at peace has failed We would have peace, today, if any effort had truly succeeded. Pundits, promulgators, and politicians press on in pursuit of peace; but they cannot give what they do not have. Altruism without power only makes the prophet to be false.

Our God is a God of peace (Heb 13:20). Peace is His possession to give or to withhold. When Yahweh makes peace with a man, that man is reconciled to God and receives peace as a fruit of the Spirit of God (Rom 5:10–11; Gal 5:22). In other words, the peace of God is communicated to those He has chosen to befriend. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1), which then imparts the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7).

The peace that Jesus left with His disciples, upon His departure back to His Father’s house in heaven, was the peace produced by atonement. Jesus died on the cross (1 Cor 15:3; 1 Pet 2:24), shedding His precious blood (1 Pet 1:19), a peace offering unto God (Lev 7:14, 33; 9:18; 2 Kgs 16:13). Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross (Col 1:20); and this peace is forever. His one-time, once for all time, once for all His people, sacrifice of Himself is a permanent offering securing permanent peace with God for us.

There is no other sacrifice required and no other way to peace with the God, whose wrath is directed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom 1:18). Jesus delivers us from the wrath of God to come (1 Thess 1:10). We who have been redeemed have the protection of His propitiation for sin. Priceless is the possession of peace with God.

Jesus promised to give His disciples His own peace (Jn 14:27); for He Himself is our peace (Eph 2:14). Jesus gave this peace to His disciples when He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to His disciples starting at Pentecost (Jn 14:26; 15:26; Acts 2:38; 10:45).

God communicates His peace to His people through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). The Spirit is with us, forever (Jn 14:16); giving us the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).

The paraclete makes us alive (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13); indwells us (Jn 14:17); and then He helps us; comforts us; teaches us; leads us; guides us; liberates us; testifies to us (Rom 8:16); produces fruit in us (Gal 5:22–23); helps us in our weakness (Rom 8:26); intercedes for us (Rom 8:26); sanctifies us (1 Thess 5:23; 1 Pet 1:2). focuses our minds…for the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Rom 8:6). He continually grants us peace in every circumstance (2 Thess 3:16).

If we live by the Spirit, then let us walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:25). It is the Spirit who resets our focus through daily renewal (Ps 51:10; 57:10; Lam 5:21; Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:23; Col 3:10; Titus 3:5). Day by day, and with each passing moment, the Spirit re-establishes peace of mind and peace within our hearts.

Therefore, as the Spirit leads, fix your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2), and set your mind on things above where Christ is seated in power, wisdom, and glory. Resist the devil and his false prophets of false peace (Jas 4:7). Remember that nothing and no one in this world has ever given you peace that was real or that has had any lasting effect; but the kingdom of God is righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).

Our Lord said to His disciples and says to us today, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or be fearful (Jn 14:27).” There is only one sovereign Lord whose will must be done. The Lord knows His own (2 Tim 2:19); and He has called us by name (Jn 10:3). He called us to peace with Himself and with one another (Mk 9:50; Heb 12:14), so that we might build one another up in the faith (Rom 14:19). In the world we have trouble after trouble, but in Christ we have peace (Jn 16:33).

Let us preach peace through Jesus Christ and pursue peace with all men (Acts 10:36; Eph 2:17), as much as it is possible (Rom 12:18), for the King of peace does rule and reign from Zion (Heb 7:2). Yes, peace to you all who are in Christ (1 Pet 5:14); who is Himself the way of peace (Lk 1:79; Jn 14:6). Go in peace (Lk 7:50; 8:48); and may the God of all peace sustain and renew you in His peace.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

May 29, 2024

John 14:27