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Peace is one those things the Bible talks about in different contexts.
For example we can have "inner peace". Peace in ourselves despite what is going on around us. This peace comes from God.
Rom 14:17; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
If we are in the kingdom of God, we should have peace.
Rom 15:13; Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Php 4:7; And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Then there is corporate peace. This seems to be a difficult thing to have. Even for people with "inner peace".
Mark 9:50; "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Rom 14:19; So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Gal 5:22; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Sometimes we think of "peace" in a war setting. I'm not killing anyone so I'm at peace, but this isn't always the case. Even simple arguing and bickering is the opposite of peace.
Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Here on TalkJesus enmities, strife, anger, disputes, dissensions and factions are sometimes very evident (and sometimes frequent).
People say they have peace, but it doesn't seem very evident.
Col 3:15; Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
2Pet 3:14; Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
Peace takes a little effort on our part. It takes a little self-control. Peter says we have to "be diligent" to keep peace.
Rom 12:18; If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Even though peace is something we should pursue, especially between fellow Christians, it isn't something that is always guaranteed.
Jesus Himself knew many of the things He said would bring division to the world.
Matt 10:34; "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Luke 12:51; "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;
Luke 12:52; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.
Luke 12:53; "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
It seems odd that Jesus would say He came to cause division, even between members of the same household. I take this to mean we should be at peace if we can, but not to the
point of compromising our faith and beliefs.
For example we can have "inner peace". Peace in ourselves despite what is going on around us. This peace comes from God.
Rom 14:17; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
If we are in the kingdom of God, we should have peace.
Rom 15:13; Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Php 4:7; And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Then there is corporate peace. This seems to be a difficult thing to have. Even for people with "inner peace".
Mark 9:50; "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Rom 14:19; So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Gal 5:22; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Sometimes we think of "peace" in a war setting. I'm not killing anyone so I'm at peace, but this isn't always the case. Even simple arguing and bickering is the opposite of peace.
Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Here on TalkJesus enmities, strife, anger, disputes, dissensions and factions are sometimes very evident (and sometimes frequent).
People say they have peace, but it doesn't seem very evident.
Col 3:15; Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
2Pet 3:14; Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
Peace takes a little effort on our part. It takes a little self-control. Peter says we have to "be diligent" to keep peace.
Rom 12:18; If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Even though peace is something we should pursue, especially between fellow Christians, it isn't something that is always guaranteed.
Jesus Himself knew many of the things He said would bring division to the world.
Matt 10:34; "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Luke 12:51; "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;
Luke 12:52; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.
Luke 12:53; "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
It seems odd that Jesus would say He came to cause division, even between members of the same household. I take this to mean we should be at peace if we can, but not to the
point of compromising our faith and beliefs.
