Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Thessalonians Words ~ Day 30: Peace

Day 30: Peace

Today's word is found in both of the ending prayers in Paul's letters to the Thessalonians.

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 

Peace that the Bible speaks of is much more than the absence of war or conflict, as we often think of it.  It's more than calm and quiet, and deeper than the restoration of what is broken and painful - although it does include all of those things as well. In Hebrew the word for peace is Shalom. Shalom is a sense of well-being and fulfillment that comes from God and is dependent on His presence. Shalom is wholeness, prosperity, security and fullness of life that only comes as a result of a restored relationship with God. In Greek, the Hebrew word is translated eirene, it means to join or bind together that which has been separated, making it one again. We see this biblical peace of binding together that which was separated in the work of God the Father through His Son.

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Jesus Christ}, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1:19-20

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

God is the source and the giver of peace. Peace is God's nature. Paul's prayer for our sanctification in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 reflects God's desire for our ultimate wholeness and encourages us in our journey of sanctification - the process of becoming holy - whole. This is one of my favorite prayers in the New Testament. It gives a picture of God at work in our whole self, drawing every part of us to live out the holiness He desires in us. Yet reminding us that, ultimately, it is He who is faithful in accomplishing this, reminding us to remain connected and dependent on the God of Peace.

In the midst of any trials and suffering that come our way, we can have peace because the God of Peace will, at all times, bring us the peace of God. He is with us always and in all ways. We can approach Him and speak to Him at any time. In this we have the "peace that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).

May the God of Peace enable you to know His peace in your heart today.




1 comment:

  1. thank you so much for all the work that you have put into this study. I have learnt so much, and feel I have grown in my faith as well. Thank you!

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