Understanding PeaceSample

A Gift for Everyone

For God’s peace to be our daily reality, there are five things that we must understand. We saw the first of these yesterday: the price has been paid. Today, we’ll cover the second and third truths that unlock the secret to a peace-filled lifestyle as God’s children.

The second truth that we can remember is everyone is included. Using P.E.A.C.E. as our acronym, it corresponds to the word’s first E and second letter. The Scripture reveals God’s message of peace is for all “who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” These are powerful words. For all who committed deeds that resulted in imprisonment or in ravaging their bodies, these words have an awe-inspiring literal meaning. But they are also valid for those who never engaged in such activities.

We are all in darkness before we come to Christ. Before we decided to receive Christ’s life, we were all living under the shadow of death. It was the absolute authority over our lives. But because the Prince of Peace has come, we heard and believed the good news that everyone is included in God’s redemption plan. Although I was only seven years old when I accepted Christ, I knew that what Christ did on the cross was for me—my sin put Him there.

The third vital truth to remember is to acknowledge God’s gift. Using P.E.A.C.E. as our acronym, it corresponds to the middle letter, A. According to Zechariah’s prophecy, peace can now be ours because of God’s tender mercy. Peace does not belong to us because of anything we have done but because of who He is. He is merciful. He is compassionate. He extends His grace to us. God has already provided peace for us because of His great mercy. We cannot work for it. We cannot earn it. We cannot pay for it. All we need to do is simply acknowledge it. In faith, agree with what God has said.