Peace

During this time of year, we consistently use phrases like “peace in Christ” and “peace be with you.” Some of these phrases have become so common and familiar to us that we may not think about their true meaning. Let’s spend some time clarifying what “Peace in Christ” means.  

There is some part of us that believes peace is inversely related to the amount of busyness, conflict, and trials we face. We think if we can just clear our schedule and/or get through the tough times that we’re currently experiencing, then we will get peace. This season, you might be dreading an inevitable family gathering full of conflict. You may be about to experience the first Christmas without a loved one, or concerned about the looming financial hardship this season can cause. You might even think you'll never experience peace again because the world is just “going downhill.” Nothing about this season feels peaceful; it can instead feel full of conflict and pain. 

Toward the end of John 16, Jesus is giving instruction to His disciples. Jesus knows He is about to be crucified, and He wants His followers to be prepared for what is to come. Near the end of His message, He states what has become one of our favorite verses:  

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.” 

This teaching of Jesus was specifically directed at His followers who were likely to face persecution after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus was trying to be clear—He wasn’t going to make all their earthly troubles and conflicts go away. In fact, it appears that some of those troubles would result directly from following Him.  

But note the first sentence: “I have told you these things, so that you may have peace.” His instructions to His disciples were given in order so that they would have peace during the challenges they were about to experience. 

His peace doesn’t only exist in the absence of strife, challenges, and trouble, but in the midst of them. If the peace of God is a “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7), it wouldn’t truly be “surpassing understanding” if we only experienced peace when God made our lives easy or when we cleared our calendars.   

So, what can we do specifically to sow peace in our lives? 

1. Pray first 
   Philippians 4:5-7 - Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
   
   Admittedly, we have a bad habit of doing everything in our own power to solve whatever problem is before us and only turning to prayer as a last resort. The passage above instructs us to go to the Lord first in prayer. Note again that verse 7 states that the peace of God “will guard your hearts and minds” with no reference to whether or not the prayer in verse 6 was answered.

2. Note what is “ruling in your heart” 

Colossians 3:14-17 - And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

Verse 15 implies that we have an active role in “letting the peace of Christ rule.” If it is a directive Paul gave the church at Colossae, then it doesn’t seem to be our default position. Instead, it is something that we need to take action toward.  

So, take inventory. What is ruling your heart? Is “the word of Christ dwelling in you richly”?  Or do we spend five hours on anxiety-inducing social media for every one hour we spend in the Word? Are our minds focused on political turmoil and cable news or are we worshipping “with thankfulness in our hearts to God”? 

Our peace this Christmas season is in knowing that God is with us. He sees us when we’re experiencing pain and conflict, and His Spirit reminds us that there is a day coming with no more tears and no more pain (Rev. 21). Currently, He isn’t begrudgingly putting up with us due to our sinfulness. No, He looks on us and sees the perfection of His son Jesus. In this season we celebrate Jesus coming as God in the flesh to conquer sin and death. When that is in the foreground of our hearts and minds, our worldly troubles fade away, and we can experience true peace.  

Brothers and Sisters, let us all take an intentional step towards Peace in Christ this Christmas season.  

Written by: Tom and Brittany Horn