It’s what drives people to seek professional counseling…answer ads guaranteeing “satisfaction or your money back”…purchase self-help materials…consult their horoscope…contact their meditation gurus…call or text their favorite talk show hosts…take prescribed medication…turn to alcohol, tobacco, or any kind of hallucinogenic substance…complain to their congressman…pour out their worries to a friend or maybe even to a stranger…
What do all these examples have in common? ANSWER: It’s the need to find peace of mind. After all, we’re only human you know. Who doesn’t want peace of mind to one degree or another?
The REAL question is, “Where can you get it and genuinely have it?”
I’ve already cited all kinds of ways we humans try and find it. But there’s one way I haven’t mentioned yet. It’s the Highest Peace that goes beyond the solutions offered by humans.
Consider the Source that makes this the Highest Peace:
In his letter to the Philippian Church, the Apostle Paul wrote,
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:7, Berean Standard Bible, BSB).
Here, the Apostle Paul is referring to the Highest Peace which comes from “the God of peace,” (Hebrews 13:20). He is the Source of all that exists—the one true Almighty God our Creator and Sustainer. Let’s take a closer look at this peace by answering three main questions:
One: What is the Peace of God?
God’s peace is highest and greatest for it is consistent with his moral attributes—namely, that he is holy, love, and truth. Because he is holy (Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7), God’s peace is morally pure. Because he is love (1 John 4:8), God’s peace is desirable and delightful. Because he is truth (Isaiah 65:16), God’s peace is trustworthy and true.
The peace of God is, therefore, perfect or complete. Since it is flawless, no other peace can substitute for his peace. It’s on account of God’s peace that peace of mind can be abundantly obtained and experienced.
The peace of God is part of his continual presence. It doesn’t come and go in time or change but is available 24/7. It is, in essence, reliable, endurable, and glorious.(1 Thessalonians 5:23; Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 13:20).
It is noteworthy that “the peace of God” is why he can be called, “the God of peace,” (Philippians 4:9). God’s peace is active. Like oil in the ground, it’s riches are waiting to be discovered and tapped for all to reap and enjoy. It’s meant to be used but not abused or taken for granted. It’s rich in grace and ready to be claimed by anyone willing to seek and find “the God of peace.”
Two: What makes the Peace of God special?
When you therefore consider what the peace of God is, then you can appreciate what makes it so special. And what is that?
As Paul stated, it “surpasses all understanding.” And what does that mean?
The word, “surpass” in the original Greek means, “to excel, to rise above, to transcend or be superior.” (Bible Hub)
The Greek word, “understanding” in this verse means, “the mental capacity to think or reason.” (Bible Hub)
Put it all together and Paul is talking about how the peace of God rises above and beyond our own human capacity to think or reason. This is what makes it so special. It comes from God, not from any other person.
If you could find peace of mind by simply telling yourself in the midst of discontentment or depression, “Self. I am now going to have peace of mind,” like flipping a light switch on, of course you’d do so. But that’s not how real peace—the peace of God—is obtained. You cannot instantly self-generate it through logic, emotion, or wishing for it.
But when you willingly accept it as the gift the God of peace wants you to receive, then you can come to know how special it actually is. Of course, faith enters into it. If you don’t believe in God and trust that the God of peace will give you peace, then you won’t experience it. And that’s the name of the game: experiencing THE highest peace that comes from God.
Three: What will the Peace of God do for you?
In Philippians 4:7, we are told how we can experience it:
“The peace of God…will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Our “hearts” are our emotions and desires; our “minds” are our attitudes and knowledge. God will guard—that is, like a military sentinel, keep watch over—both our hearts and minds as we trust in his peace.
In that first question. “What is the peace of God?” I pointed out how God’s peace connects with his moral attributes. His attributes of holy, love, and truth dovetail with the peace we can experience:
(1) We receive peace of mind as we strive to live in the holiness of God through moral purity and wholeness (1 Peter 1:15-16).
(2) We also receive peace of mind as we strive to live in the love of God who fulfills our desire for satisfaction which brings joy and delight (Ephesians 3:14-19; 1 Peter 1:8).
(3) In addition, we receive peace of mind as we strive to live in the truth of God and, therefore, he enables us to be truthful, honest, and trustworthy according to his Word of truth (Ephesians 4:20-27; Hebrews 6:18).
The Way to Find Peace of Mind
This peace of God that guards our hearts and minds can only be experienced “in Christ Jesus.” When we willingly surrender our lives to God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, then we can receive the gift of inner peace—including calmness, tranquility, rest—that comes with it. Jesus said,
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful,” (John 14:27, New American Standard Bible 1995, NASB 1995).
True and lasting peace does not come through the world’s ideas or recommendations. The world can only bring fake peace. It’s deceptive and distorted. Watch out for those movements that make you think you’ll find peace but instead will only bring heartache and disaster (Deuteronomy 29:18-19; Jeremiah 28:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).
The peace of God can only be experienced through the Son of God who brings us peace WITH God. The world cannot do that because it cannot do what Jesus does: Bring us into peace with the God of peace, his Father in heaven.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1, English Standard Version, ESV).
The Bible says that due to our sinful nature, we are in a state of rebellion toward God, like two enemies. He is perfect in every way but we are not. So, we humans fall short of his glory (Romans 6:23).
It’s only out of God’s wonderful grace that the sacrificial death of God’s Son on the cross redeems us (Hebrews 13:20). Thus, through Christ, we are reconciled to God so that we are no longer enemies but friends (Romans 5:1, 2, 9-11). And therein flows the peace that transcends human understanding.
Here are some fascinating Bible passages that apply to the ways believers experience peace with God through the peace of God:
- No confusion or disorder because he is the God of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33)
- Peace in every circumstance (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
- The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6)
- Restored in peace to be holy and blameless (Colossians 1:20-22)
- Access to God our Father in one Spirit (Ephesians 2:14-18)
- Empowered by God’s Power (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Being ready for the second coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
- Born again with a living hope (1 Peter 1:2-5)
- Expectation of future world peace brings inner peace (Micah 4:3)
If you want inner peace then go to the One who will give you the Highest Peace and you will be highly blessed! (Philippians 4:6)
Good News of Peace to YOU!
Pastor Michael
P.S. When you breathe in the peace of God you find rest and hope to carry on with peace of mind. Here’s “Peace,” https://youtu.be/uW6xcmqfiY4