Category Archives: Peace

Bible, Christ, Death, Eternal Life, Eternity, Peace, Reconciled, Scripture, War

CHANGE IN RELATIONSHIP

ROMANS 5:10

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

What does it take for enemies to become friends? It’s really pretty simple – one of them has to hold out the “olive branch.” By that I mean, one has to make the first step towards peace. Sometimes that is done because there has been a battle and the end seems certain. For instance, Germany made peace with the U.S. at the end of World War II because they saw they had been defeated. The U.S. desired to end the hostilities in order to save lives and bring lasting peace. But they had to accept the offer of peace to end the war.

In the case being shown to us in the last few verses, we were enemies of God before He made the first move. God and man were at war. The end was certain. Man was going to suffer the wrath of a holy God. But in this case, God made the first move. He offered His Son as a peace offering, a sacrifice to secure our salvation. Reconciliation comes, and salvation follows.

APPLICATION

Paul shows us the progression of our salvation here. Enemies – reconciled – salvation – eternal life. The Cambridge Bible explains this verse this way. “The language, carefully weighed, points more to God’s acceptance of the sinner than to the sinner’s acceptance of God. For the case is put thus:— ‘When we were enemies, God was gracious to us: much more (as to our apprehension) will He be gracious to us still.’”

Don’t you see that God has exonerated us from the punishment that awaited us before Christ? We were doomed. There was no escape. But after He offered Jesus on the cross and we accepted that gift of grace, He welcomed us into His family and can now bestow on us the Holy Spirit who will guide us in our new life with Him. God continues to give us life here on earth and promises us an eternal life with Him.

Relationships change, don’t they? I bet you can name several people with whom you are no longer close friends. Years ago, you were close, perhaps spending every day together. For various reasons friendships come and go. Our relationship with God is not like that. Once you are His, you are His forever. As you spend time with Him in His Word and prayer, you become closer and closer. Don’t you want to know Him more fully? Then invest the time to do that. Ask Him to reveal more of Himself to you. He will do that willingly. We are told in Psalm 34:10, “they who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing.” Are you seeking today?

O God, You have reconciled me unto Yourself and are now perfecting our relationship into an eternal one.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Justification, Justified, Peace, Scripture

PEACE WITH GOD

ROMANS 5:1

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

You hear a lot about peace today in regard to peace between nations or other groups. Peace in the Mid East is always in the news. Peace between Ukraine and Russia has been prayed for by many. Peace deals are made and broken all the time. It is very hard for men to live in peace with each other. The slightest thing can bring an end to decades of peace. When will it all end?

Even though we may never have true peace on earth, we are promised “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” What a promise. But that peace hinges on what Paul wrote about in the previous verse (4:25) – our justification. In fact, Paul starts out today’s verse saying the same thing. He says, “having been justified.” That’s an Aorist Participle Passive. Thank you, Carl, that really blessed my heart. Now, hang on. You need to understand the Aorist tense. It is an action that is completed in the past completely without any focus on how long it will last. In other words, it’s one and done! Praise the Lord.

APPLICATION

The other verb in today’s verse is the simple Greek word for “have.” The importance of this verb is that it is in the Present Indicative Active. Present tense means it is ongoing. So do you get the picture here? We were justified through the blood of Jesus when we accepted Him as our Savior and Lord. Because of that completed action, we now have lasting peace with the Father. How much better can this get?

I can’t help but think about that song that says, “I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river in my soul…” Let me ask you this morning if you have that peace. If you decided to place your trust in Jesus and follow Him, He has given you that peace. Do not let anyone or anything rob you of that peace that is eternally yours. Nothing can take that away from you. It’s His promise to you, and we know He does not break His promises.

One more thing! Notice Paul wrote “peace with God.” Paul knew that when you have that you also have the peace of God. What’s the difference? Peace with God, as I said, is done by the justification of our sins through Jesus. Peace of God is what you receive in your heart and soul as a result of that. Jesus told us, “Peace I give to you.” We have the peace of God when we receive peace with God. They are intertwined. Just rest in it.

Father, You are the One Who give us peace through Your Son Jesus. I will enjoy that peace.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Calmness, Forgiveness, Jesus, Peace, Scripture

KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE; NO GOD, NO PEACE

ROMANS 3:17

“AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN THE WAY OF PEACE.”

Knowing true peace is so…well…peaceful. I am not sure how exactly to explain it. When I am in a deer stand in the woods waiting for a deer, I experience true peace. Hearing the woods come alive as the sun rises or goes to sleep as the sun begins to set, I have this overwhelming calmness. Sure, my heart is beating faster watching for the movement in the woods, but I am really at peace with God and man out there.

Paul again quotes from Isaiah as he starts to wrap up these several verses of Old Testament quotations. Here he quotes Isaiah 59:8 which reads, “They do not know the way of peace, and there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever walks on them does not know peace.” As my title today says, KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE; NO GOD, NO PEACE!

APPLICATION

Here is a great explanation of our need for peace based on this verse. “men are naturally ignorant of the way of peace with God; of the first step which God took towards it; of the council and covenant of peace, in which the scheme of it was drawn, and the method fixed; of Christ the peacemaker, and of the way in which he has made it; and of the Gospel, which reveals and publishes it.” (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)

We need peace. Jesus gave us His peace. In John 14:27 He said, “‘Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” Did you hear that? Do not be troubled or fearful. Why? Because we have His peace. Do you think Jesus was ever troubled or fearful? I don’t think so. Nor should we. If we are consistently walking with the Prince of Peace, we will forever be in His peace.

Jesus also told us in Matthew 5:9, “‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.’” Do you want to be known as a peacemaker, unlike those spoken of by Paul in today’s verse? Then you must have His peace. When you have the peace of God, you will be at peace with God. There’s an old song that says, “There’ll be peace like a river, peace like a river; there’ll be peace like a river in my soul.” Peace will flow through your life when you accept His peace and live for Him.

Lord God, I want to be at peace with You and all men. Give me more and more of Your peace as I continue to surrender my will to Yours.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Blessing, Glory, Honor, Peace, Reward, Scripture

THE PAYOFF

ROMANS 2:10

“but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who does what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

As a parent and grandparent, I have loved blessing my children and grandchildren. When my children were young, my wife and I would praise them and do special things on their birthday. I have a 13 month grandson who gets all sorts of hugs and kisses from us for every little thing he does (of course). I can’t wait until he can truly understand the concept of rewards and blessings. I want him to know that his actions can determine the response he receives in positive ways.

Oh, what a contrast today’s verse is with yesterday’s verse. Instead of tribulations and distress for doing evil, we who do good will receive glory, honor and peace. Wow! Who doesn’t want that? All it takes is for us to get those awesome things is to “do good.” Now, wait a minute, Paul. Is that really all it involves? We need to break down those two words to get a picture of what Paul is saying because he is not negating the saving power of Christ in this.

APPLICATION

The word “do” is really a present participle in the middle voice. Okay Carl, you just lost me. Well, hang on. It may read better as “who is continually doing of their own choice.” It’s not a one-time event in this person’s life. It’s their lifestyle. They seek to honor God by doing what He says when He says and how He says. It’s not their plan. It’s His. Isn’t that what Jesus did? John 5:19 says, “Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way.’”

Then there’s the word “good.” That’s the Greek word agathós which “originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith.” (HELPS Word studies) We see this talked about all through Scripture. Jesus told us a good tree only bears good fruit. It cannot bear bad fruit (Matthew 7:17-18). We are filled with the Holy Spirit as followers of Christ. He enables all that is good in us.

So, you have a choice. You can choose evil things and receive tribulations and distress, or you can choose to do good and receive glory, honor and peace. I’m on the second train, folks. Is it always easy to do what is good? No! Why? Our flesh gets in the way. Only by yielding to Him every second of every day can you continually do what is good. Go and to do that and receive glory, honor and peace.

O Lord, You are so gracious to bestow glory, honor and peace on me for simply obeying You. It is a joy to obey.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Contentment, Peace, Scripture, Sufficiency, Thankfulness

BEING CONTENT

PHILIPPIANS 4:11

“Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”

Contentment! Do you struggle with that? So many people cannot be satisfied or content in their situation. They want a newer car or a bigger house. They don’t like the way they look, so they seek out every treatment they can find to make them look “young again.” Contentment is often a fleeting thing for them. Not for Paul. Look what he says today.

He is still thanking the Philippians for their gift but reminds them that he is content in whatever position he is in. Remember, he is in prison (or at least house arrest) in Rome. That’s not a place in which many could find contentment. The word used here for “content” is autarkés only appears here in the New Testament. It comes from autos (himself) and arkeo (content) – self contented. HELPS Word studies says, “it refers to positive self-sufficiency (inward adequacy) – i.e. that comes through the indwelling power of Christ.”

APPLICATION

In 2 Corinthians 9:8 we see the noun form of this word where it is translated “sufficiency.” “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” Also that same noun is found in 1 Timothy 6:6. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (KJV).

Learning to live content can bring such peace. The writer of Hebrews uses the verb form of this word in Hebrews 13:5. “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER ABANDON YOU,’”

Are you content? Are you at peace with who you are and what you have? If you are struggling with contentment, let me urge you to do a deep dive on the topic of peace or rest. God does not want us to live uncontented lives. He gave us His Son to remove all discontentment, except for the discontentment regarding sin. We should never be content about that. But otherwise, we should live our lives being content with our God and our Savior. Amen?

O Lord, thank You for giving me the sense of contentment that is only found in Christ.

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Bible, Peace, Promises, Protection, Scripture, Security

ONLY ONE PEACE IS TRULY PEACEFUL

PHILIPPIANS 4:7

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Prepositions, punctuation and conjunctions can dramatically change the meaning of statement. For instance, if I said, “Let’s eat, Grandma,” you would all say that’s great. But if I said, “Let’s eat Grandma,” you might call the police. Right? We sometimes pass right over the little words or characters, but we believe that every “jot and tittle” of God’s Word is from His mouth, do we not?

So, when Paul says in today’s verse, “the peace of God,” we need pause and look at what he said. Of the 1327 times theos (God) is used in the New Testament, 698 of those times it is the genitive, theou (of God). That’s pretty significant, don’t you think. The Word of God seems to point a lot to the things that are of God. Paul knew that only the peace which belonged to (that’s what the genitive means) God can give us peace. Only His peace is will.

APPLICATION

But look at the rest of this verse. This peace is not an idle peace. First of all, it “surpasses all comprehension.” It is incomprehensible. We cannot fathom the depths of God’s peace. We cannot understand why He would give it to us. We do not know how it truly works but can feel it working. Am I right?

Jesus said in John 14:27, “‘Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” Because He said that, Paul can tell us that it “will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” God’s peace is actively guarding our hearts and minds. Isn’t that awesome?

Our hearts and our minds are guarded by God’s peace. How does He do that? By drawing us close to us. James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” What a promise! And if God is near, our hearts and minds are guarded. His Spirit in us works with God’s peace to comfort and protect us. What a marvelous God we have. Amen?

Lord, thank You for Your peace in my life. I could not face a day without it.

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Bible, Father, Grace, Greetings, Jesus, Peace, Scripture

FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON

PHILIPPIANS 1:2

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I often begin emails to people by saying, “I pray this email finds you doing well.” I don’t use that every time, but I usually use some type of greeting. I don’t just start with my main message. It’s kind of like breaking the ice with someone. They say it is always good to praise, then correct and then praise again. That’s called the “sandwich” method. That makes me hungry, lol.

The Benson Commentary says this about this greeting from Paul, which he used in just about every letter he wrote. “From God our Father — The original source of all our blessings, who is now become our reconciled Father, having adopted us into his family, and regenerated us by his grace; and the Lord Jesus Christ — The one Mediator between God and man, through whose sacrifice and intercession we receive all the blessings of providence and grace.” That’s a clear description of Paul’s greeting, don’t you think?

APPLICATION

Look at what Paul is actually greeting them with – grace and peace. Shouldn’t we want to extend the same thing to others? We should wish them grace, first of all. Grace is central to the Christian faith. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith.” Paul desires for the Philippians to know this grace fully. All they needed was God’s grace. Works were not required.

Then Paul wishes them peace. You have probably heard it said, “You can’t have peace with others until you have peace with God. And you can’t have peace with God until you have the peace of God.” It is really that simple. Jesus told us, “Peace I leave with you.” When people come to Christ, they often describe it as experiencing real peace for the first time in their life.

I wish for you today grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is my desire to see each of you who read this devotional thought experience all that God has for you through His Son Jesus. There is no other greeting I could give you that can last for eternity. Now, you do the same for others.

Lord, give me a true appreciation for Your grace and peace that I can extend to others.

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Bible, Peace, Rules, Scripture, Submission

LET PEACE RULE

COLOSSIANS 3:15

“Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.”

As I write this blog, I am watching snow fall here in Knoxville. There isn’t anything much more peaceful than a slow snowfall. I know, I know – I’m a snow novice. We don’t get much here. But when it does fall, I love to sit and watch it with the gas logs burning and reading a good book.

Paul speaks of the “peace of Christ” today and says it should “rule” in our hearts. That word “rule” is the Greek word brabeuó which only occurs right here in the New Testament. Martin Luther said, “Let it be master and keep you in all tribulation.” Look at this explanation I found in another commentary. “…if the peace of Christ be your umpire ruling in your hearts, your reward is sure. ‘Let the peace of Christ act as umpire when anger, envy, and such passions arise; and restrain them.’ Let not those passions give the award, so that you should be swayed by them, but let Christ’s peace be the decider of everything.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)

APPLICATION

So, what does it mean for peace to rule your heart? Well, for one, you can’t blow your top in traffic, no road rage. Peace has to restrain our minds and our actions. I have seen too many church meetings that showed no sign of peace. How terrible! How dishonoring of Christ Who came to bring us peace.

I am reminded of His words in John 14:27. “‘Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.’” If Christ came to give us peace and we don’t exercise that peace, isn’t that grievous to Him? It’s a spurned gift. No one likes that.

In John 16:33 we are told by Jesus, “‘These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.’” Christ’s peace does not promise us a bed of roses. He says we will have troubles. But His peace can triumph over it all. Live in peace today.

It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well, with my soul.

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Bible, Jesus, Love, Peace, Scripture

PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL

EPHESIANS 6:23

“Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What an appropriate verse for this week! As we are in the midst of our Presidential Election here in the U.S., we are in dire need of peace and love. Each side is at war with the other, mainly through words. There is an obvious disdain for each other. Without commenting on the rights and wrongs of each candidate, I am praying for peace and love. There are some in our country who will not receive the results of the election well. Peace and love will be the last things on their minds. But we are commanded as believers to be peace makers and lovers of mankind.

Paul is ending his letter to the Ephesians in today and tomorrow’s verses. Today, we are focused on peace and love. Tomorrow it will be grace. Peace, love and grace – main columns of Christian growth. Keep in mind, Paul is signing off this long letter which would be read to the congregation. This isn’t an email that everyone would have received. One copy was delivered to the church and read aloud. He wanted to leave them with these thoughts – peace, love and grace. What a fitting close.

APPLICATION

In John 14:27, Jesus said, “‘Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.’” If Jesus gives us peace, shouldn’t we be practicing peace? It’s not the peace the world speaks about. It’s not the absence of war and conflict. It’s the peace that comes from God the Father. We are told to be at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).

And we are to love each other. That’s taught throughout Scripture. 1 John is full of God’s love. Look at 1 John 4:7. “Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” I need to show God’s love to everyone I come into contact with – Republicans, Democrats, Independents, whatever.

So, in this day and age when peace and love seem to be relevant only if people agree with each other, let’s strive to show the world a different way. Let us be at peace and show love to everyone. This is done with actions, not just words. Today, be peaceable. Today, be loving. Show the world what it means to be like Jesus.

Lord, I cannot be at peace and love others outside of You. Be that peace and love through me today.

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Bible, Comfort, Love, Peace, Scripture

THE COMFORTER

EPHESIANS 6:22

“I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.”

Some people just have the ability to comfort others. Their very presence in the room makes you feel better. One of my favorite childhood memories was my mom warming our flannel pajamas on top of our big kerosene heater in the hall. We would jump out of the tub, dry off and put on those warm pj’s. Awww, Comfort!

In today’s verse, Paul is still discussing Tychicus (whom we talked about yesterday). Now, we were told in verse 21 and in today’s verse that Tychicus was bringing news about Paul, who was under house arrest in Rome, so the churches would know how he was doing. But then Paul goes further and says Tychicus “may comfort your hearts.” You have to really trust someone to give them that task. Tychicus wasn’t just delivering a message. He was coming to love on the people and reassure them about Paul.

APPLICATION

Are you a comforter?  I don’t mean that thing you put on your bed, lol. I mean are someone people would look to for comfort. The Greek word used in today’s verse is parakaleó, which means to “‘make a call’ from being ‘close-up and personal’ and refers to believers offering up evidence that stands up in God’s court.” Tychicus was bringing words of encouragement to the church at Ephesus. Everything’s going to be okay.

One of my favorite passages on God’s comfort is found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.”

God’s comfort is our comfort so we can comfort others. In the midst of our trials, God gives us comfort, He “calls us alongside” Himself. Then we can know and experience it for the sake of others. Just as you would not hog the comforter on your bed, you should not hold back the comfort God has given you. Instead, share it with others. Be a Tychicus today.

Thank You, Father, for Your comfort which You bestow on us.

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