THE REAL PURPOSE OF PEACE
17 March 2018 Sat
Sharing snippets from an article written by James MacDonald
Peace is a great thing.
Peace is the calm assurance that what God is doing is best.
Peace comes from knowing that God is in control, causing all things to “work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Peace is God’s way of signaling to your soul that you can rest in Him, that you can trust Him, that you’ll be able to see Him at work.
But God does not give you His peace so that you’ll have a better week.
He doesn’t give you His peace so that you’ll have a good night’s sleep.
God gives you His peace so you can make an impact.
His peace is primarily for the purpose of enabling you to participate in His mission.
God’s peace is not given as an upgrade to our happiness portfolio.
He’s not here to diagram a more pleasurable life for us.
He gives us His peace as a freedom and a release into purposeful serving, worshiping, and evangelizing.
He liberates us from the things that burden our hearts so we can be freed up for kingdom mission—which, He knows, leads us to what we wanted all along - to the only real joy and happiness we’re capable of experiencing anyway—not as a goal, but simply as a byproduct.
We are here for God's purposes, not ours.
He gives us the help we need for getting over our humanness so we can be used by Him in this short thing called life.
So when we hear Jesus saying to His first disciples, “Peace be with you,” realize He still is just as eager to lift your cares off us today because like those first followers, He’s given us each a job to do.
And the cares we lug around with us keep us from doing our job.
But by giving them over to Him, we can experience His peace. Then we can get busy doing the kingdom work He’s left us on this planet to do.
ADD-ON:
The Bible is filled with verses that can bring peace in the middle of struggles, worries and fear. When we feel overwhelmed and do not know the next step to take, we find a quiet place to pray, read Scripture and ask God for His peace that surpasses understanding. God wants us to have a life lived to the fullest and that includes being at peace.
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Romans 14:17-19
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 3:18
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
1 Peter 3:11
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
Proverbs 16:7
When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Psalm 34:14
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
1 Peter 3:9-11
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 37:37
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
Psalm 85:8
I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 26:12
LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
James 2:14-24
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
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