Having Peace
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Definition and Overview:
Peace, in the biblical context, is a profound sense of well-being and tranquility that comes from a right relationship with God, oneself, and others. It is not merely the absence of conflict but a positive state of harmony and wholeness. The Hebrew word for peace, "shalom," encompasses completeness, welfare, and peace. In the New Testament, the Greek word "eirene" is used, which similarly denotes peace and tranquility.

Biblical Foundation:
Peace is a central theme throughout the Bible, beginning with the creation narrative where God establishes a harmonious world. The fall of humanity disrupted this peace, but God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ aims to restore it.

Old Testament Insights:
In the Old Testament, peace is often associated with God's covenantal promises. For instance, in Numbers 6:24-26, the Aaronic blessing includes a prayer for peace: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." Here, peace is seen as a divine gift.

The prophets frequently spoke of peace in the context of the coming Messiah. Isaiah 9:6 prophesies, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This passage highlights the Messianic role in establishing ultimate peace.

New Testament Teachings:
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the embodiment of peace. He offers peace to His followers, as seen in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." This peace is distinct from worldly peace, rooted in the assurance of salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses peace in his epistles. In Romans 5:1, he writes, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace is a result of reconciliation with God through faith in Christ.

Paul also emphasizes the role of peace in the Christian community. In Ephesians 4:3, he urges believers to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Peace is both a gift and a responsibility, requiring active pursuit and maintenance within the body of Christ.

Practical Application:
Believers are called to live in peace with others, as much as it depends on them (Romans 12:18). This involves forgiveness, humility, and love. Philippians 4:6-7 provides practical guidance: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Eschatological Peace:
The Bible also speaks of an ultimate peace that will be fully realized in the eschaton. Revelation 21:4 describes a future where God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. This vision of peace is the culmination of God's redemptive work and the hope of all believers.

Conclusion:
The biblical concept of peace is rich and multifaceted, encompassing personal tranquility, communal harmony, and eschatological hope. It is a divine gift, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and a hallmark of the Kingdom of God.
Topical Bible Verses
Hebrews 2:14-15
For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
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Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
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Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
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1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.
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Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
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Library

He Declares That, Having Witnessed the Fall of the Persecutors, He ...
... Book IV. Chapter XII."He declares that, having witnessed the Fall of the Persecutors,
he now rejoices at the Peace enjoyed by the Christians. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xii he declares that having.htm

Go in Peace
... man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 48 1902/go in peace.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... Being justified by faith, and having peace with God, he walks no longer after the
flesh, but after the Spirit, and in the power of the blessing which he has ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Of the Union of Man's Will with God's in those Inspirations which ...
... which the youth took in such good earnest, that having returned home to ... in general,
and particularly of extraordinary ones, is the peace and tranquillity of ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xii of the union.htm

About the Demon that Dwelt in the Woman.
... [2366] And lifting up his voice, he said: Abide in peace, having received an asylum
with a greater than I; but I, as I have said, will go away and seek thy like ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the demon that dwelt.htm

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... He set up family worship, saying, "Surely God will give me peace." But the peace
came not. At last he bethought himself of having a prayer meeting in his house ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

Letter iii. --Peace in Turmoil.
... The sacrifice having been made and reiterated a hundred times God has taken from
me ... the mother-house, which you know how much I loved, with a peace and liberty ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter iii peace in turmoil.htm

The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
... Speak truth each one with his neighbour, so shall ye not fall into lust and confusion;
but ye shall be in peace, having the God of peace, so [143] shall no war ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/vii the testament of dan concerning.htm

God's Peace Obtained in Answer to Prayer
... We are capable of having the truth of God revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. It
is not possible to comprehend the peace of God without the help of the Spirit. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 3 gods peace obtained.htm

Let no one Deceive Himself, nor Put Forward the Pretext of Having ...
... Let no one deceive himself, nor put forward the pretext of having found such property. ...
whether he be brother or enemy, even in the time of peace, when he is ...
/.../thaumaturgus/canonical epistle of gregory thaumaturgus/canon iv let no one.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about being zealous / having zeal? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christian parents respond to having a child with Down syndrome? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian consider having weight loss / gastric bypass surgery? | GotQuestions.org

Having: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Having

Having a Baby

Having a Bad Day

Having a Christmas Tree

Having a Covering

Having a Lot of Children

Having a Servants Heart

Having a Talent

Having a Teachable Spirit

Having a Vasectomy

Having an Affair

Having Babies

Having Children and not Married

Having Dreams and Goals

Having Faith

Having Friends

Having Fun

Having Girlfriend

Having Integrity

Having Other Beliefs

Having Peace

Having the Right Attitude

Related Terms

Salvation-having (1 Occurrence)

Arisen (24 Occurrences)

Questioned (57 Occurrences)

Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Sailing (23 Occurrences)

Silent (120 Occurrences)

Stopped (134 Occurrences)

Seized (118 Occurrences)

Aquilas (6 Occurrences)

Silverlings (24 Occurrences)

Sad'ducees (13 Occurrences)

Simile (61 Occurrences)

Amongst (47 Occurrences)

Questioning (65 Occurrences)

Age-during (167 Occurrences)

Vine-growers (13 Occurrences)

Saluted (11 Occurrences)

Sicknesses (15 Occurrences)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Sabbaths (53 Occurrences)

Sailed (28 Occurrences)

Stayed (169 Occurrences)

Stumble (89 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Soldiers (83 Occurrences)

Setting (82 Occurrences)

Seeking (182 Occurrences)

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Victuals (32 Occurrences)

Zeb'edee (11 Occurrences)

Aliens (53 Occurrences)

Assailed (3 Occurrences)

Area (66 Occurrences)

Afar (98 Occurrences)

Aged (63 Occurrences)

Stedfastly (23 Occurrences)

Similes (22 Occurrences)

Strangers (95 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Succeeding (7 Occurrences)

Submission (10 Occurrences)

Served (182 Occurrences)

Square (94 Occurrences)

Solid (13 Occurrences)

Slain (235 Occurrences)

Sensible (15 Occurrences)

Sealed (31 Occurrences)

Stirred (64 Occurrences)

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)

Sprung (20 Occurrences)

Supposed (19 Occurrences)

Stooped (15 Occurrences)

Secured (11 Occurrences)

Vessels (210 Occurrences)

Supply (40 Occurrences)

Sir (90 Occurrences)

Arrived (129 Occurrences)

Stork (6 Occurrences)

Authorities (44 Occurrences)

Asking (111 Occurrences)

Aside (416 Occurrences)

Announced (47 Occurrences)

Seeing (442 Occurrences)

Adversary (100 Occurrences)

Kindly (57 Occurrences)

Alive (166 Occurrences)

Standing (334 Occurrences)

Shining (115 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Suffered (88 Occurrences)

Apart (228 Occurrences)

Snare (69 Occurrences)

Vote (3 Occurrences)

Vice (2 Occurrences)

Zacchae'us (3 Occurrences)

Attempted (8 Occurrences)

Audience (17 Occurrences)

Having Other Beliefs
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