Our Search For Peace

Peace is a major concern for everyone.  Millions if not billions of dollars are spent each year trying to come up with a plan that would bring peace to the world. Yet with all the efforts from a myriad of people and countries, still no one has a feasible plan for creating world peace.  The truth is, we may never have world peace until Jesus comes back!  But that doesn't mean we can't have peace in our heart regardless of what's happening in the world.  Jesus can give us a "peace that passes all understanding."

It's sad that most people have no idea of what true peace really is or what is the source of true peace.  Some may experience brief moments of peace, but never realize it as being something that can be a permanent way of life.  God's desire is for everyone to live a transformed life full of peace, joy, and happiness.  Colossians 3:15 instructs us that God wants His peace to "live and rule in your heart."  God is the one and only true source of lasting peace.

We must have peace in three different relationships.  The first one is: 

1. Peace with God.

There was a time when we were far away from God.  We had no promise, we had no hope, and we were separated from God. But the birth of Jesus proclaims that God in His love, sent us His Son, that through Him we could have peace with God by making Jesus Christ our Savior.  In fact, the only way to God is through Jesus Christ.

The concept that Jesus is the only way to have peace with God is difficult for many to accept because we live in a world that embraces virtually everything, and says that one religion is as good as another, or one way of life is as good as another.  And when Christianity affirms that there is only one way to God, the world views it as narrow and closed minded.  But telling the truth as it is identified in God's Word is not narrow minded.  If a doctor were to tell you that insulin was the only suitable medication for your diabetes, would you insist on taking aspirin for a cure and call him "narrow minded" because he insisted that you take insulin?  He isn't being narrow minded, he is being loving and compassionate because he is telling you the truth.

When the church preaches the truth it may be perceived as being narrow minded but in reality it is being loving and compassionate.  Peace with God, only comes through Jesus Christ.

2. Peace With Ourselves.

Jesus is the source of our peace within. We can be at peace with ourselves because we are at peace with Jesus, the "Prince of Peace."  Ephesians 2:13 states "For he is our peace, who hath made both one..."  Jesus offers us a peace that no matter what the circumstances are around us, we can be at peace within ourselves.  As long as we are just "flirting" with Christianity we will never be at peace with God or ourselves.  It is only when we have surrendered ourselves to God, and God has filled up the vacuum and emptiness inside of us that peace will come.

3.  Peace With One Another.

Jesus is also the source of our peace among others.  It's ironic that the very place of the birth of the Prince of Peace is also a place where there has always been conflict and war.  It is estimated that in all of recorded history, that less than 8 percent can be described as times of peace.  Over the past 300 years there have been over 280 wars in Europe.  From 1500 B.C. to A.D. 1860 there have been more than 8,000 peace treaties signed with the intent to last forever, but the average time they actually remained in effect was for only two years.

Humanity is constantly at "odds" with one another. Our courts are a good indication of how difficult it is for people to live in harmony and peace.  The good news is that in this war-torn world, God sent His personal, visible representative of "peace on earth, and good will toward men."

If we are to have peace with others, we must have peace with God and ourselves and that only comes through emptying ourselves before Him.  When we have made peace with God, we can begin to live at peace with ourselves and with others.

When was the last time you experienced absolute peace in your heart?  Did it last?  If not, then it's time to turn your life over to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ!  When you let Jesus rule and reign in your heart He will guard your heart in peaceful ways beyond what you can ever imagine!