Topical Bible: Gifts from God: Temporal: Peace

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In the Christian tradition, peace is considered one of the temporal gifts from God, bestowed upon believers as a manifestation of His grace and love. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict or turmoil but a profound sense of tranquility and assurance that stems from a right relationship with God. It is a peace that surpasses human understanding and is deeply rooted in the spiritual life of a believer.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of peace as a divine gift is woven throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shalom" encompasses a holistic sense of well-being, completeness, and harmony. This peace is often associated with God's covenantal promises to His people. In the New Testament, the Greek word "eirene" is used to describe the peace that Jesus Christ imparts to His followers.

One of the most significant passages regarding peace is found in the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: "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" (John 14:27). Here, Jesus distinguishes the peace He offers from the temporary and often superficial peace the world provides. His peace is enduring and rooted in the assurance of His presence and promises.

Peace with God

The foundation of true peace is reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). This peace is a result of being justified by faith, which restores the broken relationship between humanity and God caused by sin. It is a peace that assures believers of their standing before God and their eternal security in Him.

Peace in the Midst of Trials

The peace that God provides is not dependent on external circumstances. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, exhorts believers to experience God's peace even in the midst of trials: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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" (Philippians 4:6-7). This peace acts as a guard over the hearts and minds of believers, protecting them from anxiety and fear.

Peace with Others

The gift of peace from God also extends to relationships with others. Believers are called to be peacemakers and to live in harmony with one another. Paul encourages the church in Ephesus to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). This peace is a reflection of the unity and love that should characterize the body of Christ.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting and sustaining God's peace in the lives of believers. As part of the fruit of the Spirit, peace is cultivated in the believer's life through the Spirit's indwelling presence (Galatians 5:22). The Spirit empowers believers to experience and extend peace, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will.

Eschatological Peace

While believers experience God's peace in this life, there is also an eschatological dimension to this gift. The ultimate fulfillment of God's peace will be realized in the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more pain, suffering, or conflict. The prophet Isaiah envisions this future peace: "The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat" (Isaiah 11:6). This vision points to a time when God's perfect peace will reign supreme.

In summary, peace as a temporal gift from God is a multifaceted blessing that encompasses peace with God, peace in the midst of life's challenges, peace with others, and the hope of future peace in God's eternal kingdom. It is a gift that transforms the believer's life and reflects the character of God Himself.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 26:6
And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 22:9
Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Divers Gifts of God's Chosen: and How Saints Come to Love in ...
... warm; and the mind, mirthed with gifts, waxes hot ... forgets his Beloved nor bowing
to temporal liking will ... of joy comforts his wits to behold God; and everlasting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter vi of divers gifts.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... when they were no longer encompassed by temporal trials ... that we are to covet earnestly
the best gifts: for it ... who are all the adopted children of God our Saviour ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

The Means of Obtaining Peace Internal, is not the Delight of Sense ...
... into affection to most subtle Spiritual vain-glories and temporal ones, and ... it cleaves
to spiritual pleasures, staying even in the gifts of God, and in his ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap iii the means of.htm

For Temporal and Eternal Welfare.
... FOR TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL WELFARE. ... are mine when I have Thee, Thou void of gifts canst
never be ... Then what of good It pleaseth God To give, great peace bestoweth. ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for temporal and eternal welfare.htm

The Imitation of Christ
... The Eighteenth Chapter: Temporal Sufferings Should Be Borne Patiently, After the
Example of ... The Twenty-Second Chapter: Remember the Innumerable Gifts of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/the imitation of christ/

How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to ...
... that some, by being proud of some gifts that they ... in his wrath appeased the wrath
of God (Numbers 25:9 ... to be afraid of disturbing their temporal peace, if they ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxii how those that.htm

I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.
... of produce, and whatever else there is of bodily and temporal goods, good ... is drowned
in blindness, and abuses all the good things and gifts of God only for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/i believe in god the.htm

On the Feast of a Holy virgin
... No one can attain to the Love of God without humility; and that is a gift of God
above all temporal gifts. Humility brings true peace to the heart of man; for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxiv on the feast.htm

But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the ...
... with him, for fear of pains eternal suffer pains temporal. ... to deny that this is the
gift of God, we are thus to understand that there be some gifts of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /23 but if moreover any.htm

Imitation of Christ
... CHAPTER XVIII That temporal miseries are to be borne ... we must rest in God above all
goods and gifts. CHAPTER XXII Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/