The word peace has multiple connotations but in general terms it evokes thoughts of tranquility, contentment and freedom from distress. It's a word that features frequently in our everyday vocabulary. For example, we talk of "peace of mind" - the state of being free from worry, "peace and quiet" - the state of not being bothered by noise and interruptions, "world peace" - the end to conflict between nations, "being at peace"- in reference to those who have passed away or as a description of having worked through the internal conflict of a decision.
But how many of us regularly experience true peace? If we look at current trends, we could come to the conclusion that the answer is very few. In recent years there's been a new wave of interest in mindfulness and meditation. A lot of the time the context in which we use the word points to the absence of something - noise, worry, war - but when we look at the word in a biblical setting, we discover that peace isn't just the absence of something but it is a presence in its own right.
The Bible has a lot to say about peace and how it can be a very real and present part of our lives.
Inner peace
This is the type that we commonly associate with freedom from worry or troubles. It doesn't necessarily mean that we are free from problems, but rather the problems don't have power over us. Inner spiritual peace is alluded to in Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
This verse illustrates that this inner peace stems from the power of our relationship with God, and more specifically our trust in him. By trusting in God we can experience his peace and we no longer need to divert unnecessary attention to worrying.
This sentiment is echoed in Philippians 4:6-7 where the incomprehensible peace of God is received as trust is placed in him: "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."
Romans 15:13 again presents the idea that to be filled with peace is a hope that can only truly be fulfilled by God: "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."
So if we're not feeling peaceful today, do a mind check: where are you looking for your peace? Have you asked God to give you peace? Are you focusing on your problems or your God?
Peace between people
We all know that it's not just interactions between enemies that can be void of peace. At times our relationships with our loved ones can lack peace too. Forgiveness plays a huge part in our ability to sustain peaceful relationships with each other as it enables us to overcome conflict and hurt, and instead put love at the centre of our interactions.
This connection between peace and forgiveness is touched upon in Ephesians 2:14-15: "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace."
In these verses the foundation of peace between people is connected to Christ's death and its power to reconcile parties who could so easily be at odds with one another, in this particular instance, Israelites and Gentiles.
Jesus makes clear in Mark 9:50 that having peaceful relationships is in part down to ourselves. We can blame others and focus on the things "they did wrong" but Jesus is asking us to examine ourselves. Here it's explicitly instructed: "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other."
In other words, are you doing what you should do to stop the relationship from breaking down - living out the fruits of the Spirit, forgiving others as you have been forgiven, showing others the generous love God has shown to you?
Christ is saying when you do these things there will be peace between you.
Peace through Christ
In Christianity our experience of peace is inseparable from our relationship with Christ. As mentioned in part one, it's through God that we experience this deep peace in the first place. "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," John 14:27.
Here Christ tells his disciples that through him they have peace, and that the peace he gives is in every sense out of this world. This call to peace is reiterated in John 16:33 when Christ says: "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." Again he proclaims that our route to peace is through him, and he also alludes to eternal peace as he does not promise that our lives on earth will be free from turmoil but that beyond our world we will experience the peace he offers in a much greater sense.
Eternal Peace
One of the common uses for the term "at peace" is to refer to someone who has passed away. In the sense that it's used here it doesn't simply refer to the removal of earthly worries but it also speaks to the promise of heavenly peace. The Bible is full of references to eternal peace.
"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them," says Isaiah 11:6.
The pairing of these animals, predator with prey, symbolises an end to the existing way of life and within the context of this chapter, an eternal peace which accompanies Christ's coming. Whether you interpret it in a literal or metaphorical sense, the meaning remains the same - through Christ we have access to everlasting peace.
Another illustration of eternal peace can be found in Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." In other words, the peace is not connected to any physical things.
Furthermore, as this peace is heavenly it's more than just a lack of something negative but the state of being in God's presence and being filled with this divine emotion. Hence the common expression among Christians, "Absent from the body, present with the Lord."
It comes from 2 Corinthians 5:8 in which Paul specifically says "at home with the Lord". There really is no place like home, but faith in Jesus promises us a heavenly home with him that is far better than any home we have here on earth. Hoping in this eternal home has the power to help us through whatever momentary troubles we are experiencing in this world.
