Rom. 14:17 “For the Kingdom is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

It is my desire to dwell on the word “peace.” There seems to be so little of it in the world. If you would allow me to make play on words, did you notice that peace is right in the middle of the description of the Kingdom of God?

Two of the primary thoughts portrayed by Strongs concerning peace are quietness and rest. The world’s definition of peace is the absence of a conflict.  It is my desire to discuss true peace for the wayfaring child of God as he continues on his pilgrimage.

Who is the author of peace? (Is. 9:6) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

When Jesus was born, the heavenly host praised God and said in (Luke. 2:14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward man.”  (Jn. 14:27) Jesus said. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

How important is peace? In the (7th chap. Num.) as Moses had fully set up the Tabernacle, many animals were sacrificed for a peace offering as well as a burnt offering.

In almost every instance the Apostles began their epistles by their salutations to the Churches saying; (Grace be to you, and peace, from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ). This should be sufficient to establish peace as one of the components of the Kingdom of God.

I want to acknowledge that I first heard the following expression used by Elder Pat Young and it made a lasting impression on me. (Bro. Pat, I hope you don’t mind me borrowing this from you. If I alter your thought it will be through my ignorance. The essence of it was: God is at peace with us through the finished work of His Son. Are we at peace with the finished work of His Son?  We understand that God gave Adam a commandment in the garden and that man transgressed that righteous law of God and consequently was guilty of sin and God was not at peace with man. What a dreadful and cursed condition we were in. God gave us the law and it was weak because of the weakness of our flesh. Consequently, God was not at peace with us because of our failure to keep the law. (Rom. 8: 13) “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” God did not do away with the law but His Son came and fulfilled it.

(2nd Cor. 5:18-19) “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” (V-19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation].” In (Jn. 17:4) “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

God in now reconciled because he is satisfied with and has accepted that perfect offering of His Son. He is at peace with us now because of His perfect work. The sin of all the elect family of God has now been atoned for.

God made a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (Jer. 31:32) declares that they broke that old covenant which he made with their fathers as He led them out of Egypt. The old were written on tablets. This new covenant says He will put His law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts. This is the covenant in force now. (Jer.31:33) “[But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after these things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.” Notice how He did it, by His Son. Back to Col. 1:20, Notice that all things were reconciled unto Himself. Whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

I am persuaded, that heaven is a place of perfection and hope to be carried there one day. I am satisfied there has never been, there is not now, nor shall there ever be any imperfections in heaven. It is the very abode of God.

Let us once more remember the definition of reconcile, (again – re-anew, conciliation – to bring together.) If it was necessary to bring together again things, then we must conclude that something or someone (God) was not satisfied. Who was offended and who was the offender?

In my simple mind, I can see man as he stood before the bar of justice and his only answer could be guilty, guilty. God’s law had been broken and it demanded that justice be meted out. Truth was a witness against us also declaring that man is guilty. God’s justice cried out for satisfaction. I am convinced these are some of the things that He reconciled to Himself.

Mercy pleaded our case and God gave us a mediator. (I Tim. 2:5) “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus:” a mediator must be able to communicate with the ones he is mediating with. Jesus was verily God and verily man. If any man would come to God he must come through the mediator. Remember, the Law was broken and no justice had been given. The mediator is one. Some men have endeavored to place themselves in the position of a mediator. These men are verily men but they are not verily God. They cannot mediate with God.

This man Christ Jesus came into this world and He fulfilled God’s Law to a jot and title. He made satisfaction. He went to the cross and made satisfaction with Justice. God’s justice had been meted out to the mediator. Our surety was required to pay our debt. The sword of justice fell upon the very Son of God.

The law and justice were satisfied here on earth and the Father in heaven accepted that sacrifice and that precious blood that was shed for you and I trust for myself; it atoned for our vile sins. (PS. 85:10-11) (V10) “Mercy and truth are met together;

Notice what the Lord has promised to Jerusalem. (The church) (Is. 66:12) “For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her (The church) like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.”

Brethren, let us draw near to God and he has promised to draw near to us. We then will be able to go forth in a turbulent world with peace in our hearts.

Remember the definition of peace. (Rest and quietness) (Is. 33:20) “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eye shall see Jerusalem, (the church) a quiet habitation.” It is a place of peace and quietness and a refuge from the storms of life. A place to find rest and eat from the table set by the Lord for His children.
(Is. 32:17) “[And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever].” (V-18) “ And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” You will find that peace and quietness in an orderly Church of God.

I close with the words of the Apostles salutation: Grace, mercy, and peace, from the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

May God grant us to rest in this peace that passeth all understanding until he comes and takes his children home?