According to the Bible, God has given us humans the chance to experience the “God-style” peace that he experiences. And being its usual practical self, the Bible also tells us how we get his peace, and what happens to us when we’ve got it, so we can judge by the fruits in our own experience if we’ve got it and whether it’s worth it, or not.
It was Jesus who originally came up with these thoughts when he told his disciples in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you,” with the added emphasis that “I do not give to you as the world gives.” So this would be an extraordinary peace beyond anything we humans can create, the first and obvious symptom of which is revealed in Jesus’ next statement, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The Greek word for “peace” in this verse conveys that thought exactly: it’s eirene (air-ray-nay), meaning “to bind, join, weave together,” which Paul used when wishing “grace and peace” on the churches in his care, Colossians 1:2. Because when people were bonded and woven together with God and with each other (4), that’s what gave them eirene, from which we get the word serenity – the “untroubled heart” that Jesus promised in John 14:27.
Paul expanded on this in Philippians 4:7, when he speaks of “the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds,” so that eirene, serenity, an untroubled heart, will be our constant experience. Which is why he could say, “Let your gentleness be evident to all” (5), because it’s so much easier being calm with people when we’re inwardly serene.
Which explains why Paul bursts out with: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” in verse 4 – because in his experience this inner serenity brought joy too. And again in his experience, when we’re “not anxious about anything” (6) we’re freed up to enjoy “what’s true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy” (8).
We can then judge by the fruits what that “God-style” peace does to us, and whether it’s worth it, or not. Paul’s advice in verse 9, therefore, is “put into practice” what he says, because if we’re willing to give it a whirl, Paul guarantees that “the God of peace will be with you.” According to Paul, then, If we’re seeking that inner serenity, God will make sure we get it, because in Paul’s own experience it was well worth the “joy” and “refreshing” that came with it (Romans 15:32-33). So, what are “The things that make for peace” then?….(next blog)
Buck To Basics 