Is peace something anyone can enjoy and have, even in this troubled world we live in today? What is peace? Let’s turn this question over to Mr. Webster and see what this learned man had to say. Peace= a state of tranquility or quiet as, freedom from civil disturbance, a state of security or order within a community provided for us by law or custom, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions, harmony in personal relations, a state or period of mutual concord between governments, a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity.
Wow! The people of our past were more educated than we are. He uses such words as, 1-tranquility, 2-security, 3-disquieting, 4-oppressive, 5-concord, 6-enmity, 7-state, which he used three times in this definition of the word peace. Tranquility, means to be free from disturbance or turmoil, or to be calm and stable. Security, means freedom from fear or anxiety. Disquieting, means to take away the peace or tranquility that you have.
I was educated back in the 50s and 60s, right here in Kentucky, by teachers that taught us how to be able to think and decide. Now the poor children are only taught how to pass the test. No wonder our educational system is in trouble! Very few real teachers that are called to teach. Most are only there for the paycheck. Enough of my soap box preaching. Back to our discovery of what our words really convey.
The word oppressive means unreasonably burdensome or severe, overpowering or depressing to the spirit or senses, as if by pressure. I know how I read these words but I never knew the depth of their meanings. Now the word concord, this word means very little to me other than the name of a place or grapes. What does Mr. Webster mean? This is what his definition is, “a state of agreement, harmony, or a compact or covenant as in a treaty.” See what I mean about our modern education?
Our next word is Enmity is going to be eye opening for sure, as it means to be an enemy of someone. Enmity is also synonymous with Hostility, Antipathy, Antagonism, Animosity, Rancor, and Animus. These words can be used in place of this little word Enmity. I’m surprised as I read these definitions as I’m still learning too, my education continues daily just like yours should.
Enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed; Hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression; Antipathy and Antagonism implies a natural or logical basis for one’s hatred or dislike; Antipathy suggests a repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject; Antagonism suggests a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility; Animosity and Rancor suggest intense ill will and vindictiveness that threatens to kindle hostility; Rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong. Animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice.
Our last word to be looked at is the word State. I’m only using part of Mr. Websters definition as it applies to our subject of peace, “ a mode or condition of being in readiness; a condition of mind or temperament; a condition of abnormal tension or excitement.” The rest of his definition does not concern what I am writing about, so I have left it out.
Now that we have the definitions understood, how does this all apply to peace? The biggest question is do you, as a child of God have this peace in your own life? If not, then what is taking your peace? Jesus gave his disciples peace in John 14:27. Paul, Peter, James and John all wrote us letters on how to operate in this peace. Our main questions to ourselves is why, how, and when will we allow this peace of God to be in our lives. Jesus said his peace was not like the worlds peace which was dependent on circumstances of life, his peace was from God, his Father, and it was eternal.
How can we have this peace? The world is a dangerous place today and it is threatening to destroy itself daily. That’s the biggest difference between the two kinds of peace, one is easily lost, and the other is not. It’s eternal and established in Gods kingdom, even here on this troubled planet, if you just live by faith in God.
Shalom is the main Hebrew word used for peace in our Bible, and it means to be safe, happy, healthy,prosperous,and the general good welfare of life to us. It also means to be at one with God, just as Adam and Eve were in the garden, when He walked and talked with his children.
Peace is much more than a feeling, it is part of a living relationship with our Creator and Father. We are so much more than the Church teaches we are. Some even put us on the unworthy level, but I assure you we are made worthy by the blood of Jesus, our Lord. This belief in Jesus through our faith, is the justification of His sacrificial payment for our sin, Romans 5:9.
This one fact should be more than enough for us to realize how blessed we are as believers, to be set free from the punishment of sin. Set free by that sacrificial act of love that Jesus did on the cross over 2000 years ago. He willingly died for us because of Gods great love for His creation (John 3:16). John recorded this peace that Jesus gave his disciples in John 14:27, and it has been continuously given to each of us since then, as we are born into the Kingdom of God.
Shalom is a Hebrew word that is used as a greeting by the Jews. Jesus told his disciples to speak peace when they enter someone’s home, and if the son of peace be there, your peace will rest upon it; if not, it will return to them (Luke 10:5-6). So peace is something tangible and very real. Paul used it in all his letters to the churches as a greeting to each of them. Read his letters from Romans through Philemon. Each one starts out with Paul proclaiming peace and grace to those he was writing to.
Paul knew that this peace was real, and he gave it to those he loved, so we should also do this for those we love, in this dark world that we are living in. I heard this years ago, that if we want to keep something, then give it away, (Matthew 10:8). The word peace is written to us over 300 times in our Bible, and this provides us with a very strong foundation on which we can stand, safe and secure on the Word of God, full of grace and peace!
As children of God walk in peace, keep your mind on Him, be aware of your thoughts and take captive those that do not come from God. Remember the real battle is in your mind. Read the New Testament daily, and do your own study of what you read. This way you will own what you know, because you did the work to uncover a precious treasure that God put there for you. Keep your eyes on Jesus and remember you will make it, just don’t give up.
See you next time as we study Gods word together.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 