… and peace …
Summary: Peace is a word that can describe the world around us, but it also describes the state of our soul. The peace that God offers us through Paul’s words today is a gift for the soul.
When we look at the Greek word for “peace” that Paul used in his letter, we find the word “eirēnē.” The word “eirēnē” can mean many things, so, once again, we have to look at the context of Paul’s letter to understand what he is saying.
Strong’s Concordance (STRONGS G1515) defines eirēnē with words like “peace, quietness, rest.” Looking a bit deeper, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon includes this entry:
“[A] conception distinctly peculiar to Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot.”
I like the part where it says, “a conception distinctly peculiar to Christianity.” Why would Christians have a distinct conception of God’s peace? The answer to that rests in God himself. Without knowing God, without a relationship with the Creator of All Things, it is impossible to know the peace “which passes all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7, RSV)
What makes this particular kind of peace so special?
Imagine, if you will, being three years old again. You are with your mom and dad, but something frightens you. Perhaps it is the people around you or a smell or noise making you nervous.
Being three, you are too small to explain what is frightening. It is possible you don’t even know why you are feeling the way you do, but there is something you do know: You know that if you grab hold of your mother or dad’s hand, you feel better. If you can climb up in a lap and be held, better yet.
We instinctively know when we are safe and when we are not. The peace of God is like that. When we allow God to put his arm around us and pull us close to him, it comforts us. The comfort God gives us soaks into our very being, and, like a light turned on in a dark room, God’s comfort chases out the shadows of fear and doubt.
Peace.
Sometimes, we don’t even know that we need it. Yet, when we find it, we never want to be without it again.
Application: Accept God’s gift of peace.
Food for Thought: How would it change the world if every person feared nothing from God and were content with “its earthly lot?”
Well that would change just about everything. If everyone knew God and trusted Him and were content with what He provided it would be Heaven – and that literally will happen in Heaven (see Revelation 21 – 22). There will be no more war or death or crying in pain or mourning, etc. Before then, we can individually seek Him and trust Him and lean into Him and serve Him here.
Amen, brother. Amen! 🙂
Another one of those good questions Jeff!! I like Rich’s response, but came in from a different direction.
12-05-2023, How would it change the world if every person feared nothing from God and were content with “its earthly lot?”
I believe Genesis 6:1-6, Speaks of a time like this and in Verse 7, instructed the writer to record, V7, “And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”
Hebrews 11:7, By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
2 Corinthians 4:4, Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1John 5:19, We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
God’s Word repeatedly tells us that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom, ( Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Job 28:28 ), and Paul wrote that fearing the Lord was a fundamental motivation for his gospel ministry, ( 2 Corinthians 5:11).
Recognizing the dreadful, holy might of the Lord drives out fear of any meager thing that might oppose Him. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Having an abiding fear of God, we are free to face everything else with boldness and strength. The fear of the Lord really is the foundation for wisdom, virtue, and valor. If you have a view of God so vast that He scares you, everything else falls into place!
Ron,
You are absolutely right.
It is interesting how one question can prompt two very different answers and both of the answers be right.
Before we can get to the place that Rich is talking about in his answer we have to go through the place you describe in yours.
I like this Ron.
Having an abiding fear of God, we are free to face everything else with boldness and strength. The fear of the Lord really is the foundation for wisdom, virtue, and valor. If you have a view of God so vast that He scares you, everything else falls into place!
Amen!
Great summary Mr. T !!!
An attitude of reverence and respect.