Peace, peace, and there is no peace.
—Jeremiah 6:14
We live in everchanging times. You might even say we live in end times. After all, all time after Jesus’ death is a countdown to the time when we shall live with Him in consistent peace and joy. It will be the end of our earthly time and a time of perfection with our Savior. To this end, we live our lives.
There is no peace here on Earth. It is a wished for, and hoped for, attainment at the end of our lives here on Earth. Natural catastrophes come in succession … wars, terrorist attacks and huge increases in crime. The family unit is being eroded and our youth corrupted by a pursuit of immediate pleasure, which turns into the reason for living.
As our social fabric is torn apart, there is increased discord in homes, society and between nations. As in Biblical times, a voice cries out: “Peace, peace: and there is no peace.”
What are we missing? Order. Yes, order. Order comes from God. When man voluntarily disrupts order, disorder becomes normal. Disorder is itself a sin, a state of deliberate offense against God.
In disorder, man acts against his own nature. Challenging God’s law, blaspheming and deriding all things holy has become a sort of morbid entertainment.
It is one thing for a person to commit sin out of weakness, which he laments and tries to avoid. It is another matter altogether for a sinner to be so attached to sin as to even brag about it or tout it.
This is the sin that most offends God, provokes his justice the most and cries out to heaven for punishment.
Peace is a fruit of order. It is hopeless to try to attain peace without order. Peace is a gift of God. If we want real peace, the peace that passes all understanding, we must STOP offending God!
The source of peace is God himself. He is the God of peace, and Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We find peace through the Holy Spirit who indwells us. With obedience to God, we enter more into that true Godly peace that is so much different from that offered by the world.
We spend most of our lives seeking peace through things of the world only to find out later in life that pure peace is found in God.
Are you looking for peace? The Bible has some great verses about the topic of peace. A great place to start is with the words of Jesus Christ. Study the Bible deeper. Let the words speak comfort and courage into your life.
Do you struggle with anxiety? Look at John 16:33. Jesus has overcome this world and gives us peace. We can rest safely in our salvation and cling to these words from our Savior.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace …
—John 16:33
The Rev. Marianne Nichols is pastor of Charlottesville United Methodist Church. This weekly column is written by local clergy members. Send comments to [email protected].
