Are you living in a place of peace right now? What is causing a lack of peace in your life? How do you get yourself into a place of peace again? These are all questions that we should be asking ourselves often in our daily lives. I want to take a little time to unpack this principle of living in peace.
Peace happens through righteousness
The main verse for this post is Isaiah 57:2, and it says that those who live uprightly (righteously) enter a place of peace. This makes it very clear that righteousness precedes peace, and by contrast unrighteousness precedes chaos (which I believe to be the opposite of peace).
When I say righteousness, I want you to imagine a holistic approach to this aspect of our lives. This holds the meaning of right relationships, both vertically and horizontally. The Bible often talks of having right relationships with those around us, and even goes as far as saying that if we do not have right relationships with people than we cannot have a right relationship with God (see 1 John 3:10), and that we do not even know God!
Righteousness takes place when we know God
It is appropriate to identify the reality that we will not have righteousness in our lives without God directing our lives! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.”. You see it was the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that actually “makes” us righteous, we are all sinners and all of us have fallen short of the glory of God (see Rom 3:23). Only Christ in me makes me righteous, and by extension only Christ in me allows me the access I need to gain perfect peace!
Perfect Peace is possible through Jesus
Colossians 3:15 tells us to allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, so I believe that it is possible to have a peace that rules my life because if it were not so the Bible would not direct me in this way. Jesus Christ is the source of peace for anyone who is willing to surrender themself to Him as Lord!
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”. Here is another connection between peace, righteousness, and Jesus Christ! It is imperative to realize that Jesus is the source of peace if we are trying to attain it in our lives. If we do not understand this than we will inevitably start chasing after the wind in order to find peace in everything other than the source Himself!
If I want to know something about a book, I could gain some information about it through Google searches, or talking with someone else who read it, but preferably I would love to be able to sit down with the author themself to find insights into the specific questions I might have because they are the source from which that thought comes from. God is the source of the idea/principle of peace, and we would do well to go to Him regarding anything that has to do with peace, or a lack of it, in our lives!
Perfect Peace is attainable
Isaiah 26:3 is another verse that is so powerful to reflect upon regarding peace. I will quote it from the CSB translation, “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” When we are truly depending on the Sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, compassionate, all-loving God of the universe to care for us, why would we doubt that He will? I believe it is at this point of doubt that any and all chaos enters into our minds, and by extension our lives. The war is in the mind! If we do what Hebrews 12:2 directs us to do in keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith, then all other things will fall in line in our lives. Matthew 6:33-34 tells us that if we seek first God and His righteousness all of the things that we seek in regard to our needs will be added to us, and then He (Jesus) directs us not to worry about such things. Worry is another byproduct of a lack of peace in our lives. Jesus can and will keep us in peace if we choose to rest and trust in His promises and abilities!
Peace guards our hearts
When we have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, then we should be praying to Him often. This will allow us to communicate our needs to God and to trust Him for the right and best outcomes to all of life’s cares! Philippians 4:6-7 is one of the best passages of Scripture to explain how we can stay in an attitude of peace. It says, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” If you want a heart and mind that is protected and guarded, then this text tells you to pray and present your requests to God in order to find the peace you need! Prayer is a huge help in bringing peace to our hearts, because it shows the trust we have in the only One who is truly able to deliver us in our times of chaos!
I hope that through this post you will more readily have the tools you need in order to find the peace you are looking for in your life! It starts with a relationship with Christ Jesus, because that makes us righteous, and righteousness creates peace. I find it very interesting to note that Isaiah 57:2 also states that the one who is upright and righteous also finds rest! Peace creates a restful spirit that is fully trusting in the Lord to care for all of our needs! There is nothing quite like having that restful peace as a result of having a right relationship with God and the people around us!
God bless you!
