Live in Peace

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…” (Heb. 12:14).

At this point in time in our nation’s history, now more than ever, peace is needed in the lives of so many people. Peace of mind is one of the most needed, and one of the most sought after, attributes of our society, as peace of mind leads to peace in lives as a whole. There is such a lack of peace in people’s lives today, seen in attitudes, actions, every aspect of everyday living. The spirit of the age is all about a lack of peace, with violence, hatred, and so many attacks on people’s character, people’s occupations, and most distressingly, people’s lives. This lack of peace in our world comes from a lack of genuine spirituality.

Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33). Disorder and confusion are the opposite of peace. They are traits that fill many people’s lives, but their origin is not of God. “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (Jas. 3:16). Sin creates confusion and destroys peace, in our own lives, in our relationship with others, and especially in our relationship with God.

What is the way to find peace? The answer is Jesus. “For he himself is our peace…” (Eph. 2:14). When we obey the gospel and are cleansed of our sins by the blood of Christ, we can have peace. We have peace with God, as our sins are forgiven. We have peace in ourselves, knowing the guilt of sin is removed. We can have peace with others, as we respond to them in love, not from sinful motives and attitudes.

So, peace is something God provides in Christ, but something we must seek, as well. The Hebrew writer understood the need for his readers to positively respond in living the gospel if peace were to be a reality. Of course, those who reject God’s will, who still live in sin, cannot know God’s peace in Christ. This is why Jesus could say, "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" (John 16:33). We can be at peace with Christ, which helps us deal with those who remain in sin, which creates disorder and strife.

What can we do to encourage peace in others? Let them see Christ in you. What kind of example do they see? Do you live in godliness, or do they see sin fill your heart and actions? What kind of language do you use? Do you speak kind words, or words that create strife? “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). To a large extent, how we respond to others determines whether we can find peace with others.

If we have peace through Christ, we should try to be at peace with those around us. There will be some who, by allowing sin to influence them, refuse to know peace. However, Christ living in us should make a difference in how we treat others, in whether or not we have, and share, peace.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.”

Robert