Living in the Peace That Surpasses All Understanding
The second candle of Advent—the candle of peace—beckons us to consider a gift far more profound than the absence of conflict. It invites us into a peace that defies human comprehension, a peace that remains steady even when our world crumbles around us.
The Announcement of Peace
Picture the scene: shepherds keeping watch over their flocks on an ordinary night. Suddenly, the heavens tear open, angels appear in blinding glory, and a message echoes across the hillside: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:14). This wasn't just any peace announcement—it was the declaration of eternal peace for all who would believe.
The angels didn't visit kings or religious leaders first. They came to common workers, to those who would understand that God's peace isn't reserved for the elite or the powerful. It's available to anyone who receives the gift of hope in Christ.
What Is Biblical Peace?
We live in a world desperately searching for peace. Whether it's inner peace, world peace, or simply peace of mind, humanity has always longed for harmony. Yet true peace remains elusive when we seek it through human means.
Biblical peace is something altogether different. It's an inner tranquility and harmony that comes from faith in God amidst life's challenges and chaos. This peace doesn't depend on circumstances aligning perfectly or problems disappearing. Instead, it's a deep-rooted assurance that transcends our understanding.
Isaiah 9:6-7 describes Jesus as the Prince of Peace. He came to administer peace to everyone who believes. And if we are in Christ, we become ambassadors of that peace—not just through our words, but through how we live, react, and interact with others.
Maintaining the Peace Within
Having peace and living in the reality of that peace are two different things. It's like having a wood stove in your home but never lighting it. The potential for warmth exists, but you must actively engage with it to experience its benefits.
So how do we maintain and grow in the peace God has given us?
Stand Firm in Faith
The first call is to stand firm. This isn't passive waiting—it's active spiritual training. Just as an athlete doesn't apologize for their training regimen, we shouldn't apologize for our commitment to spiritual growth. We must stop making excuses for remaining stagnant in our faith and instead create routines, set goals, and do what needs to be done to mature spiritually.
Are you spiritually training? Are you feasting on the solid food of God's Word, or are you still drinking spiritual milk?
Pursue Unity in the Lord
Peace within the body of Christ requires intentional unity. In Philippians 4:2-3, Paul addresses a dispute between two faithful women in the church—their conflict had become so public that Paul, 800 miles away, had heard about it. His solution? Come together in the Lord.
Unity doesn't mean we'll never disagree or face conflict. It means we count others as more significant than ourselves. We look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:2-4). We need each other—to celebrate together, to mourn together, to prop each other up when we stumble.
The Lord is at the center of true unity. When Christ is supreme, we can navigate differences with humble graciousness.
Rejoice Always
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). Not sometimes. Not when things are good. Always.
This seems impossible, doesn't it? How can we rejoice when our world is falling apart? The key is in those three words: "in the Lord." We don't rejoice in our circumstances; we rejoice in what Christ has done for us. When everything else fails, we still have Him. And that is everything.
Practice Humble Graciousness
"Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:5). This humble graciousness produces patience that endures even in injustice. It doesn't retaliate, harbor bitterness, or seek vengeance. Instead, it gives everything to the Lord.
Think about those everyday frustrations—traffic delays, long lines, unexpected bills. How do we respond? Do people see something different in us? The Lord is near, and that reality should shape how we treat everyone around us.
Surrender Anxiety Through Prayer
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
Anxiety is a natural human tendency, but it's not where we're meant to remain. The remedy for anxiety is prayer—not just any prayer, but prayer mixed with thanksgiving. Even when we don't understand our circumstances, even when we're questioning, we can invite God into our struggles with grateful hearts.
Daniel provides a powerful example. Even when facing death for praying to God, he continued his practice of prayer with thanksgiving. He surrendered to God rather than to his fears, and God received glory through his faithfulness.
Experience Supernatural Peace
When we bring our anxieties to God through thankful prayer, something miraculous happens: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
This peace makes no logical sense to the outside world. It's a peace that guards us like a fortress, protecting our hearts and minds when we should be falling apart. It's peace that only comes through Christ.
Meditate on Truth
Finally, we're called to fix our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). A mindset focused on the world and the flesh leads only to anxiety and emptiness. A mindset focused on Jesus brings peace.
This is a discipline—a choice we make daily, moment by moment. We choose what we dwell on. We choose whether to live in the reality of Christ's peace or coast along in spiritual complacency.
Peace I Leave With You
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27).
This Advent season, as we light the candle of peace, may we not just acknowledge the peace Christ offers but actively live in its reality. May we stand firm, pursue unity, rejoice always, practice graciousness, surrender our anxieties, and fix our minds on truth.
The Prince of Peace has come. His peace is available. Will you receive it? Will you live in it?
Will you share it with a world desperately searching for what only He can provide?
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with you.
The Announcement of Peace
Picture the scene: shepherds keeping watch over their flocks on an ordinary night. Suddenly, the heavens tear open, angels appear in blinding glory, and a message echoes across the hillside: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:14). This wasn't just any peace announcement—it was the declaration of eternal peace for all who would believe.
The angels didn't visit kings or religious leaders first. They came to common workers, to those who would understand that God's peace isn't reserved for the elite or the powerful. It's available to anyone who receives the gift of hope in Christ.
What Is Biblical Peace?
We live in a world desperately searching for peace. Whether it's inner peace, world peace, or simply peace of mind, humanity has always longed for harmony. Yet true peace remains elusive when we seek it through human means.
Biblical peace is something altogether different. It's an inner tranquility and harmony that comes from faith in God amidst life's challenges and chaos. This peace doesn't depend on circumstances aligning perfectly or problems disappearing. Instead, it's a deep-rooted assurance that transcends our understanding.
Isaiah 9:6-7 describes Jesus as the Prince of Peace. He came to administer peace to everyone who believes. And if we are in Christ, we become ambassadors of that peace—not just through our words, but through how we live, react, and interact with others.
Maintaining the Peace Within
Having peace and living in the reality of that peace are two different things. It's like having a wood stove in your home but never lighting it. The potential for warmth exists, but you must actively engage with it to experience its benefits.
So how do we maintain and grow in the peace God has given us?
Stand Firm in Faith
The first call is to stand firm. This isn't passive waiting—it's active spiritual training. Just as an athlete doesn't apologize for their training regimen, we shouldn't apologize for our commitment to spiritual growth. We must stop making excuses for remaining stagnant in our faith and instead create routines, set goals, and do what needs to be done to mature spiritually.
Are you spiritually training? Are you feasting on the solid food of God's Word, or are you still drinking spiritual milk?
Pursue Unity in the Lord
Peace within the body of Christ requires intentional unity. In Philippians 4:2-3, Paul addresses a dispute between two faithful women in the church—their conflict had become so public that Paul, 800 miles away, had heard about it. His solution? Come together in the Lord.
Unity doesn't mean we'll never disagree or face conflict. It means we count others as more significant than ourselves. We look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:2-4). We need each other—to celebrate together, to mourn together, to prop each other up when we stumble.
The Lord is at the center of true unity. When Christ is supreme, we can navigate differences with humble graciousness.
Rejoice Always
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). Not sometimes. Not when things are good. Always.
This seems impossible, doesn't it? How can we rejoice when our world is falling apart? The key is in those three words: "in the Lord." We don't rejoice in our circumstances; we rejoice in what Christ has done for us. When everything else fails, we still have Him. And that is everything.
Practice Humble Graciousness
"Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:5). This humble graciousness produces patience that endures even in injustice. It doesn't retaliate, harbor bitterness, or seek vengeance. Instead, it gives everything to the Lord.
Think about those everyday frustrations—traffic delays, long lines, unexpected bills. How do we respond? Do people see something different in us? The Lord is near, and that reality should shape how we treat everyone around us.
Surrender Anxiety Through Prayer
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
Anxiety is a natural human tendency, but it's not where we're meant to remain. The remedy for anxiety is prayer—not just any prayer, but prayer mixed with thanksgiving. Even when we don't understand our circumstances, even when we're questioning, we can invite God into our struggles with grateful hearts.
Daniel provides a powerful example. Even when facing death for praying to God, he continued his practice of prayer with thanksgiving. He surrendered to God rather than to his fears, and God received glory through his faithfulness.
Experience Supernatural Peace
When we bring our anxieties to God through thankful prayer, something miraculous happens: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
This peace makes no logical sense to the outside world. It's a peace that guards us like a fortress, protecting our hearts and minds when we should be falling apart. It's peace that only comes through Christ.
Meditate on Truth
Finally, we're called to fix our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). A mindset focused on the world and the flesh leads only to anxiety and emptiness. A mindset focused on Jesus brings peace.
This is a discipline—a choice we make daily, moment by moment. We choose what we dwell on. We choose whether to live in the reality of Christ's peace or coast along in spiritual complacency.
Peace I Leave With You
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27).
This Advent season, as we light the candle of peace, may we not just acknowledge the peace Christ offers but actively live in its reality. May we stand firm, pursue unity, rejoice always, practice graciousness, surrender our anxieties, and fix our minds on truth.
The Prince of Peace has come. His peace is available. Will you receive it? Will you live in it?
Will you share it with a world desperately searching for what only He can provide?
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with you.
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