Among
the most desirable and least obtainable commodities in the world is peace. In
the last century, we had two world wars and dozens of regular wars since. We
even had a very dangerous ‘Cold War’ where the American and Soviet superpowers
avoided direct conflict, but they facilitated several proxy wars while pointing
nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles at each other. We even now
have a ‘war on terror,’ which, in reality, is a war with global jihadism.
In
addition, there are global hotspots, mostly in Asia, where a miscalculation or
lack of statecraft could result in a regional or global conflict. These ‘hotspots’
include the Korean Peninsula, China-Taiwan, India-Pakistan, Israel-Iran,
Israel-Arabs, the Syrian war and the threat of the Islamic State.
Yet,
even in prosperous and relatively peaceful societies, there is a shocking lack
of personal peace. Rates of anxiety and depression are at record levels,
especially in prosperous peaceful countries like Australia. Those who suffer
from these things derive no comfort from the fact that their country is not in
armed conflict.
Are
you eager to trade in your fears, anxieties, and depression, for some lasting
peace? Then read on.
THE PEACE
PROCESS
During
the early 1990s, there was a novel approach to the Arab-Israel conflict. Israel
entered into the ‘Oslo peace process’ with the Palestine Arabs. Basically, it
offered ‘peace in instalments.’ Here’s how it worked: the more land Israel gave
to the Palestinians, the ‘more peace’ it would obtain.
While
there have been some areas of progress as a result of Oslo (for example, Oslo
made it possible for certain countries to enter into diplomatic relations with
Israel), the ultimate goal of a just, lasting peace remains elusive.
Nevertheless,
there is good news: it is possible to have personal, growing, permanent,
life-sustaining peace. It is a priceless gift from Jesus Christ Who, among His
many glorious titles, is called the ‘Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus offers
every true believer the marvellous gift of peace and it, too, comes as a
process. You can ‘grow in peace’ as you do ‘in faith, grace and glory.
WORD OF THE
LORD: SHALOM
If
you would like to receive God’s peace, here and now, pay particular attention
to this promise from Jesus from John 14:27 (NKJV):
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.
Most
people know the Hebrew word for ‘peace,’ namely ‘Shalom.’ It is used to
say ‘hello,’ ‘good-bye,’ and ‘how are you?’ Yet this word goes even deeper. It
can also mean ‘wholeness, inner rest, fellowship with God, and total
well-being.’ In the Greek language translation of the Old Testament, the
Septuagint, ‘shalom’ becomes ‘soteria,’ which means ‘salvation’ (Genesis
26:31; 41:16).
What
a wonderful word!
GOD’S PEACE
PROCESS
If
you would like to enter into God’s ‘Peace Process,’ please understand that the
above verse in John 14:27 gives the promise of peace and the pre-requisite for
receiving it. Christ promises to leave His peace with you. As the Prince of
Peace, His peace will be grander, more powerful, and more wonderful than mere
human peace. He promises to give peace in a manner that is impossible for the
world to replicate. When the world gives peace, it gives for a price, it gives
in part, and it can renege and take it away. When Christ gives, He gives peace
fully, freely, and permanently.
Yet,
there is a condition you must fulfil. Before you can receive Christ’s peace,
you have to obey the simple command: don’t let your heart be troubled or
afraid. Despite the march of fleshly fear, overdrive anxiety, and deepening
depression, if you will surrender to God, humble yourself, and submit to His
grace, you can enter into a personal, mental, and spiritual ‘cease-fire’ which
makes receiving Christ’s peace possible.
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The Nature of Peace
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The World’s Peace
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Christ’s Peace
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Given for a
price
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Given freely
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Given in part
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Given in full
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Can be lost or
taken back
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Remains
permanently
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Powerless
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Powerful
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Anxiety remains
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Anxiety gone
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Depression
remains
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Depression gone
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Fear remains
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Fear gone
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Despair
possible
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Despair
impossible
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There
are four more steps to entering into God’s peace process. Stay tuned for more
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