From the negative point of view, peace implies the end or the absence of conflict. Certainly, there can be no peace where there is conflict. But to end conflict requires reconciliation. It’s important to see that.
Those who are familiar with physical wars tend to think of peace coming when one side has defeated the other. But that really isn’t peace.
True peace only comes when the two opposing people or nations have been reconciled with one another.
So, where there has been conflict, peace is made possible only through reconciliation through bringing the warring parties together and taking away the war and the enmity in their hearts.
Conflict was introduced into the universe originally by sin.
First, the sin of Satan, the fallen angel, and then by the sin of the human race on earth. Sin has introduced various forms of conflict.
There is conflict between God and man because man is at enmity with God and out of harmony with God.
But there’s also conflict between man and man. There is war, disharmony, and strife everywhere in the human race, in families, in nations and internationally.
To achieve peace, we must have reconciliation. Reconciliation was achieved by God once and for all through the death of Jesus on the cross.
But apart from the reconciliation that has been provided through the death of Jesus, there is no other way to peace.
Listen to what Isaiah the prophet says, chapter 53, verse 5, and I believe that this was a prophetic preview of the sufferings of Jesus on our behalf. It says,
But He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
Notice that central phrase, The chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him. As long as our crimes and iniquities had not been dealt with, there was no possibility of peace, because there was no reconciliation.
But Jesus took into his soul and suffered in his body the consequences of our sin. In this way, God’s divine justice was satisfied, and the way was made open for us to enter into peace with God.
Colossians1: 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
The purpose of the death of Jesus was reconciliation. God, through it, made peace. But the making of that peace required the shedding of the blood of Jesus. Only by his life, sacrificially laid down on our behalf, was it possible for us to experience reconciliation with God.
There are two beams to the cross, vertical and horizontal. Each beam represents a certain relationship. The vertical beam, the up and down beam, represents our relationship with God.
But the horizontal beam represents our relationship with our fellow men. Now, through the cross, both relationships have been healed. Reconciliation is extended in both directions.
First, from God to man, and secondly, between man and man.
Let’s look at the first direction of reconciliation, which is represented by the vertical beam.
Paul says this: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Once we have been acquitted of our guilt through the death of Jesus, we have peace with God. Reconciliation has been achieved with God. That brings peace.
Now let’s look at the horizontal beam, the relationship between man and man. In Ephesians 2, 14 and 15, Paul says this of Jesus, for he himself is our peace, who hath made both groups into one, that is primarily Jews and Gentiles and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.
By his death, Jesus broke down the barrier between man and man. By abolishing in his flesh, the enmity, which is the law of commandments, contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.
Notice the peace here is on the horizontal plane. It’s between one man and another man. Jesus, through His death on the cross, broke down the barriers that divided and separated humanity and made possible peace between men.
Because of this, Humanity can never know true peace except through the cross. There is no other way to peace, whether it be for individuals, for families, for nations, for the whole human race.
Listen to what God says to the human race in Isaiah 57:19-21. Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near, says the Lord, and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet and its waters toss up refuse and mud. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
Notice 2 things. Peace leads to healing. God offers peace and then He says, I will heal.
This is true in every realm of human personality. The mind, the emotions, the body. Peace brings healing.
But on the other hand, there is no peace to the wicked. Those who remain stubborn, rebellious, self-willed, unyielding, those who reject the reconciliation of the cross, there is no alternative way to peace for them.
Peace is achieved through reconciliation. However, we need to understand that peace is more than just the absence of conflict. Of course, while there is conflict, there can be no peace. But simply the end of conflict is not the full meaning of peace.
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, the familiar greeting used by Jewish people today. Shalom is related to a root in Hebrew which means to complete. Shalom means wholeness, completeness, well-being. That’s the full meaning of peace. It’s not just the absence of strife, but it’s something very positive: wholeness, completeness, well-being.
There are two keys to peace.
The first key is God’s government.
There is a prophecy given of the Messiah: There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace.
Notice the relationship between God’s government and peace. Notice also the order.
God’s government comes first and then peace. Only those who are under God’s government can know peace.
Those who reject God’s government never know true peace. Often in the Bible, the gospel is referred to as the gospel of the kingdom of God. Gospel means good news. What is the good news?
The good news is that when God govern us, when Jesus is Lord over our lives, we can have peace. But without God’s government, there can be no peace.
The second key to peace, is hearing and obeying God’s voice.
God speaks to His people Israel and He reminds them of what they could have had if they’d walked in obedience to Him. This is what he says.
If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea-Isaiah 48:18
So, what’s the key to peace like a river? Paying attention to God’s commands, listening to what God says and then doing it.
John10: 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
What are the two things that mark out the true believer, the true disciple of Jesus?
First, hearing his voice, and secondly, following him. And that brings peace.
Jesus said to those who do this, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, Give I unto you.
I’m glad it’s not as the world gives because that’s not very enduring or stable or lasting.
So, what are the two requirements for peace?
First, reconciliation through the cross with God and with man.
Second, hearing and obeying God’s voice.