Peace

The Second Gift of Advent is Peace

I remember hearing a quote from singer-songwriter Keith Green; some of you will know him, some of you will say who?  He said, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger.” 

Likewise, being a Christian does not always mean that we experience peace as God desires us to. In fact, to many people, peace is a mystery, something that is to be aspired to or an experience only meant for the few.  They can have little or no belief that peace is for them. 

There are 3 actions we can take to unlock peace in our lives. 

1.    Know the giver of peace

If we don’t know Jesus, then we cannot experience peace.  Jesus dying on to the cross has changed everything for you, me and the whole of mankind. 
The cross brings assurance, certainty and enables us to live in the presence of Jesus.  That is why true, everlasting peace can only be given in our relationship with Him.  

The Holy Spirit enables the outworking of peace in our lives, day in and out, along with the further fruit found in him (Galatians 5:22-23).

Knowing Jesus and His promises gives us abundance of life. This is the peace we receive when we know who gives it.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)

2.   Peace is not ours to keep, but for us to share

The peace that the we receive is not ours to keep; we must share with the broken world, hearts and lives of others. 
Our job is to be peacemakers, to show others who He is. If people around us do not see or experience in us the fruit of the spirit, then we are not peacemakers. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God.
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Jesus tells us in the rest of this chapter that we are that light, the voice to the following generations. The peacemaker for others.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

There is nothing more blessed than sharing peace with others, that grace, love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness we receive by knowing God in our lives and having a relationship with him. 

3.   Our circumstances do not determine our peace

The word robbed keeps entering my thoughts and mind during the last few days. Each and every time it has come to me after I have faced adversity and difficulty. I so often become robbed of that supernatural peace that I have by knowing Jesus, the giver of peace, because I have not acted how I should have in the situation. I have allowed the situation to dictate my response because my natural reaction of fear, dread and despair is not aligned with that assurance that I find in my Heavenly Father.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) 

When we enter into that relationship with God, the gift of peace that we receive is greater than any circumstance we face. It is not a peace of this world, but a supernatural peace that we cannot understand or communicate.

It is a peace that we can demonstrate to others.
It is a peace that is not affected by our troubles or struggles.

So, during this week of Advent, reflect and take action to receive, demonstrate and declare peace in our lives.

written by Lois Evans