The Peace of God

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:6-8).

Experiencing the peace of God starts in the mind with “whatsoever things are true,” then of course the rest of the things in verse 8. “Think on these things” and not be careful (worry and anxious) (vs. 6), about what might happen. Worry never accomplishes anything. Forethought, planning, and soberness helps us deal with problems.

But the peace of God is not just the power of positive thinking. It involves the heart as well. God’s peace comes when we believe in our heart what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy. All of those “things” of course, are found in the word of God, and first the word of His grace to us as members of the body of Christ, according to “all scripture … rightly divided” (2 Timothy 3:16,17, & 2:15).

We must focus our thinking on the truth of what God says. Then believe the truth, and it will become effectual in our life. Our focus and faith must be kept on Jesus Christ and who we are in Him. That is how our hearts and minds are kept “through Christ Jesus.” The result will be peace beyond our understanding and comfort and strength to face whatever is troubling us. Praise the Lord! That is what prayer is all about today, changing our thinking from what is troubling us to resting in God’s wisdom in His Word.

Peace with God comes the same way, through Christ Jesus, being justified by faith (Romans 5:1-2). Our minds process the truth of the gospel of our salvation, that He died for our sins and rose again paying our sin debt. Then in our heart we trust Him for our eternal salvation.

The result of believing the truth of the gospel is peace with God and eternal life through Christ Jesus. The result of believing the truth of God’s word in our daily life is the peace of God that passeth all understanding “through Christ Jesus.” It’s a win-win!

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7)