4 Different Views of Peace



“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

– Philippians 4:7

Making Peace With God

The peace of God, which transcends understanding, cannot come to a person until they receive the Holy Spirit and have put their trust in Christ. And “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). We can’t even access the Father unless we go through Christ (John 6:44). We have no peace with God without Christ because He brought us peace by receiving the wrath of God on the cross.

The Peace of God

The peace of God comes to those who are God’s own children. This peace can guard our hearts and also our minds; and in this world today, we need all the protection we can get. Only by God’s Word and His Spirit can we overcome this world. We must guard our hearts and minds against the pulls of the flesh, the wiles of the devil, and the pride of life. These are archenemies to the Christian. If we’ve been justified, then we already have peace with God; and that ought to give us peace of mind.

The Peace the World Gives

Jesus gives us His peace, but it’s not the same kind of peace the world gives, which can be temporary or fleeting. The peace between nations can come and go. The peace between friends can be lost in an instant. We shouldn’t be interested in a cardboard cutout of what the world calls peace. We need the peace of God and the peace that Jesus gives.

Jesus’ Peace

Just before Jesus was about to go to the cross to die for our sins, the disciples were deeply troubled and afraid of what this meant. Jesus reassured them by saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Conclusion

The Apostle Paul wrote to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). Part of having the peace of God is being at peace with God and receiving the peace that Jesus leaves, which is a permanent peace. Knowing that should help guard your mind and heart.