5. GOD’S PEACE: In order to be united in one body, we have to be at peace within ourselves so that we can then live together in a peaceful way.
Peace was very important to the Jews in Jesus’ day, maybe because of the Roman occupation, the Jews felt they didn’t have it. God had prophesied there would be times like that.
Whenever two Israelites of Jesus’ day met, they would say, “Shalom” in greeting to each other, translated in the Bible as, “Peace be with you.” When they parted, they would say it again.
The closest practice in our culture is in Hawaii where they say, “Aloha,” as both hello and goodbye.
Notice that Paul specifies this as the “peace of God.”
Jesus said something similar when He gave a gift of peace to His disciples instead of just wishing them peace. Since it was understood that Jesus was God, Paul is likely referring to this gift of God’s peace through Jesus.
This gift of peace from God was so important to the New Testament writers that it was a frequent part of their opening benedictions, and often a part of the ending benediction of their letters too.
Here’s a nice version of the chorus of a classic hymn about God’s peace done as a Christmas greeting on YouTube.
Christmas wasn’t the only time when we received gifts from God. At the first Christmas, the world received the Savior sent from God.
When in faith we committed ourselves to Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we received the gift of eternal life.
And we can receive the incomprehensible peace of God every day. When something happens that causes you to be anxious…, and don’t try to pretend that doesn’t happen, it happens everyday for me! When it happens, we need to take the issue to God in prayer, WITH THANKSGIVING, and we can then do a ‘gift exchange.’ God will give us His peace if we will give Him our anxiety. What a great deal!
Are you anxious about anything coming up in your life right now? Go ahead and give it a try, God is always there, He’s always faithful. Turn your concern over to God in prayer, thank Him for His gracious care, and go on your way. Test Him and see if God’s peace doesn’t replace your worries.
Bill's Bible Blog 