THE Peace of God

The beauty of TRUTH, truth that hurts. The eternal absence of SELF, the complete presence of TRUTH.

Understanding God’s Perfect, Unchanging Peace

John 8:32 - “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Truth is the most beautiful thing in heaven and earth because Truth is Jesus.

John 14:6 - “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

But truth hurts when it exposes the lies we’ve believed about ourselves. Truth strips away:

- The lies of SELF-sufficiency
- The deception of SELF-righteousness
- The illusion of SELF-control
- The pride of SELF-achievement

This pain is GOOD. This exposure is GRACE.

Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The sword cuts. The light exposes. The truth reveals.

And in that revelation, SELF dies. And where SELF dies, PEACE lives.

WHAT IS THE PEACE OF GOD?

Peace Is Not Mere Absence of Conflict

The world thinks peace is:

- No war
- No struggle
- No problems
- Comfortable circumstances
- Everything going well

This is not God’s peace.

John 14:27 - “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.”

“Not as the world gives” - Jesus’ peace is fundamentally DIFFERENT.

John 16:33 - “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

IN ME you have peace.
IN THE WORLD you have tribulation.

Peace and tribulation coexist. Peace is not dependent on circumstances.

Peace Is the PRESENCE of God

Isaiah 26:3 - “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Perfect peace = Hebrew shalom shalom = Complete, whole, perfect peace

How? Mind stayed on God. Trust in God.

Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace of God:

- Surpasses understanding (beyond human comprehension)

- Guards your heart (protective, defensive)

- Guards your mind (keeps thoughts captive)

- In Christ Jesus (found only in union with Him)

Peace Is the ABSENCE of SELF

Here is the profound truth:

The PEACE of God is the eternal ABSENCE of all forms of SELF and the complete PRESENCE of Jesus Christ (TRUTH).

Where SELF reigns → No peace (constant striving, anxiety, fear, pride, conflict)

Where CHRIST reigns → Perfect peace (rest, trust, surrender, humility, unity)

Romans 8:6 - “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Mind on FLESH (SELF) = Death

Mind on SPIRIT (Christ) = Life and PEACE

Isaiah 48:22 - “‘There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked.’”

Why? Because the wicked live in SELF - constant rebellion, constant striving, constant anxiety, constant fear.

Isaiah 57:20-21 - “But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’”

The wicked (those in SELF) are like a tossing sea - never quiet, never still, never at rest.

But the righteous (those in Christ)?

Isaiah 32:17 - “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”

Righteousness → Peace
Peace → Quietness and trust
Forever.

Peace Is JESUS HIMSELF

Ephesians 2:14 - “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility”

Not “He gives peace.” HE IS peace. He is

Micah 5:5 - “And he shall be their peace.”

Peace is not a commodity. Peace is a Person.

Peace is not a feeling. Peace is JESUS.

You have peace to the degree you have Jesus.

You lack peace to the degree you’re living in SELF.

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PEACE AS A COMPLETE, ETERNAL GIFT

Peace Cannot Be Earned

John 14:27 - “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

“I GIVE” - Not “you earn.” Not “you achieve.” I GIVE.

Romans 5:1 - “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Peace WITH God = Not at war with God anymore

Through Christ = By His work, not ours

Peace Cannot Be Lost

Romans 8:38-39 - “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If nothing can separate you from God’s love, and He is your peace, then nothing can separate you from His peace.

Philippians 4:7 - “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace GUARDS you. You don’t guard the peace.

Peace Is Kept and Maintained by God

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The God of peace HIMSELF does the work.

Hebrews 13:20-21 - “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

God of peace:

- Raised Jesus from dead
- Equips you
- Works in you
- Does what is pleasing in His sight

ALL HIS WORK. You receive.

Peace Lacks Nothing

2 Peter 1:3 - “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence”

ALL THINGS - Nothing missing. Nothing lacking. Complete.

Colossians 2:10 - “And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

Past tense. Already done. FILLED.

His peace is:

- Complete (lacking nothing)
- Perfect (no flaw)
- Eternal (never ending)
- Faithful (never fails)
- Sufficient (always enough)

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OUR JOB: BELIEVE THE WORD OF GOD

Faith Is Our Only “Work”

John 6:28-29 - “Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’”

The ONLY work God requires: BELIEVE.

Not achieve. Not perform. Not earn. BELIEVE.

Romans 4:5 - “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”

Human Effort Is Futile Compared to Truth

Isaiah 64:6 - “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”

Your BEST = Filthy rags

Your EFFORT = Futile

Your WILL = Insufficient

Your MIGHT = Powerless

Your POWER = Nothing

Zechariah 4:6 - “’Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.’”

Psalm 127:1 - “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

All human effort apart from God = VAIN.

The Word of God Is Already Written

Isaiah 46:10 - “Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’”

God’s Word:

- Is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89)

- Cannot be broken (John 10:35)

- Will accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11)

- Stands forever (1 Peter 1:25)

It is FINISHED. It is WRITTEN. It WILL be fulfilled.

Our role: BELIEVE it. REST in it. RECEIVE it.

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THE WRATH OF GOD: The Path to Eternal Peace

Wrath Is Not Cruelty - It Is Justice

Many struggle with God’s wrath. They see it as cruel, vindictive, or unloving.

But wrath is the necessary mechanism to establish eternal peace.

Why?

Because peace cannot coexist with SELF, rebellion, sin, evil, and wickedness.

For peace to reign eternally, all that opposes God must be removed.

Romans 12:19 - “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”

Nahum 1:2-3 - “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.”

God’s wrath is:

- Just (punishing actual guilt)

- Necessary (evil cannot be left unpunished)

- Righteous (perfectly fair)

- Holy (pure, without malice)

The Wrath of the Lamb

Revelation 6:15-17 - “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?’”

“The wrath of the LAMB” - stunning phrase.

The Lamb who was slain (gentle, sacrificial) is also the Lion of Judah (fierce, conquering).

His wrath:

- Removes all enemies of God
- Destroys all opposition
- Eliminates all SELF
- Purges all rebellion
- Burns away all wickedness

Not because He is cruel, but because He is HOLY and JUST.

Wrath Against Sin Fell on Jesus

For believers, God’s wrath was already poured out - on CHRIST.

Isaiah 53:5 - “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

“The chastisement that brought us PEACE” - God’s wrath fell on Jesus so we could have peace.

Isaiah 53:10 - “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief”

Romans 3:25 - “Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”

Propitiation = Greek hilasterion = Satisfaction of wrath

Jesus satisfied God’s wrath against our sin. The wrath that should have destroyed us destroyed Him instead.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 - “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”

We escape wrath through Christ.

Final Wrath: Removing All Opposition Forever

But for those who reject Christ, wrath remains:

John 3:36 - “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

The final wrath will:

1. Destroy the Antichrist and False Prophet

Revelation 19:20 - “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet…These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”

2. Bind Satan for 1,000 Years

Revelation 20:1-3 - “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him”

3. Judge the Nations

Matthew 25:31-33 - “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

4. Cast Death and Hades Into Lake of Fire

Revelation 20:14 - “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

5. Remove All That Opposes God

Revelation 21:27 - “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 - “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death…When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”

ALL enemies destroyed. ALL opposition removed. EVERYTHING subjected to God.

THEN: Perfect, eternal PEACE.

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PEACE OF GOD = ABSENCE OF SELF + PRESENCE OF TRUTH

Every Form of SELF Must Be Removed

SELF in all its manifestations:

- Self-sufficiency
- Self-righteousness
- Self-glorification
- Self-will
- Self-exaltation
- Self-preservation
- Self-centeredness
- Self-worship

All SELF is rebellion against God.

Philippians 2:21 - “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 3:2 - “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant”

SELF must die for peace to reign.

Galatians 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

“No longer I” = SELF died
“But Christ” = Truth lives

Complete Presence of Jesus Christ (TRUTH)

Where SELF is absent, CHRIST is present.

Where lies are removed, TRUTH remains.

Where rebellion ends, obedience reigns.

Revelation 21:3-4 - “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”

In the eternal state:

- God dwells WITH us (full presence)

- No more death (enemy destroyed)

- No more mourning (no more loss)

- No more crying (no more sorrow)

- No more pain (no more suffering)

- Former things PASSED AWAY (all SELF, all rebellion, all sin - GONE)

This is PEACE.

Revelation 21:5 - “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”

Not “making all NEW things.” Making all things NEW.

Complete renewal. Total restoration. Perfect recreation.

Isaiah 65:17 - “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”

No memory of former rebellion, pain, sin, SELF.

Only TRUTH. Only CHRIST. Only PEACE.

God Will Be “All in All”

1 Corinthians 15:28 - “When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”

“God all in all” = Complete, total, absolute presence and reign of God

No opposition. No rebellion. No SELF.

Only God. Everywhere. In everything. Perfectly.

This is the PEACE of God - eternal, unchanging, perfect.

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HOW WE EXPERIENCE PEACE NOW

By Faith, Not Circumstances

Romans 15:13 - “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

“Peace in believing” - Not peace in circumstances. Peace in FAITH.

Colossians 3:15 - “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

“Let” = Allow, permit, give space to

The peace is already there. You must let it RULE (reign, govern, control).

By Keeping Mind Stayed on Him

Isaiah 26:3 - “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Where is your mind?

- On circumstances? → Anxiety
- On problems? → Fear
- On SELF? → Striving
- On GOD? → Peace

Philippians 4:8 - “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Mind control = Peace control

By Surrendering Control

Peace comes when SELF releases control and CHRIST takes over.

Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Labor (SELF-effort) → Heavy burden
Come to Jesus (surrender) → Rest

Psalm 37:7 - “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”

“Be still” = Hebrew damam = Cease striving, be silent, rest

Stop trying. Start trusting.

By Dying to SELF Daily

Luke 9:23 - “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

DAILY denial of SELF = DAILY increase of peace

Every time you:

- Choose His will over yours → Peace grows
- Surrender control → Peace deepens
- Trust His plan over your plan → Peace stabilizes
- Die to SELF → Peace reigns

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THE ULTIMATE PEACE: New Heaven, New Earth

Perfect Peace Forever

Revelation 21:1-5 - “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”

In the eternal state:

- New heaven, new earth (perfect environment)

- God dwelling WITH us (perfect presence)

- No more death (perfect life)

- No more tears (perfect joy)

- No more pain (perfect wholeness)

- All things NEW (perfect restoration)

Isaiah 2:4 - “He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

No war. No conflict. No violence. Ever.

Isaiah 11:9 - “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

Knowledge of the LORD covers everything - no ignorance, no deception, no lies.

Only TRUTH. Only PEACE.

No More Curse

Revelation 22:3 - “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.”

The curse of Genesis 3 - GONE.
Sin - GONE.
Death - GONE.
Pain - GONE.
Toil - GONE.
SELF - GONE.

Only blessing. Only life. Only joy. Only PEACE.

Face to Face With God

Revelation 22:4 - “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”

The ultimate peace: Seeing God face to face.

1 John 3:2 - “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

Seeing Him = Being like Him = Perfect peace

No more SELF. Only Christ.
No more lies. Only Truth.
No more striving. Only Rest.

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CONFESSION: Receiving His Peace Now

Your confession of faith and surrender:

Father God, YHWH, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior,

I confess the TRUTH about me:

- I am a sinner, wholly depraved, with nothing good dwelling in my flesh

- I am enslaved to SELF apart from Your grace

- I cannot save myself, transform myself, or make myself righteous

- All my efforts are filthy rags

- I am completely dependent on You for everything

I confess the TRUTH about You:

- JESUS, YOU ARE LORD OF ALL

- You are YHWH, the Great I AM, Creator of heaven and earth

- You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life

- You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords

- Your Word is settled in heaven and will be fulfilled

- Your peace surpasses all understanding

- Your grace super-abounds beyond all my sin

I RENOUNCE every lie and all deception:

- The lie that I can save myself

- The lie that my works contribute to salvation

- The lie that I control my destiny

- The lie that SELF can coexist with Your Kingdom

- The lie that peace comes from circumstances

I SURRENDER to Your sovereign will:

- Not my will, but Yours

- Not my plans, but Yours

- Not my kingdom, but Yours

- Not my glory, but Yours

- Not my peace (which is temporary), but Your PEACE (which is eternal)

I RECEIVE by faith:

- Your strength, courage, and power to follow Your will

- Your faithfulness to fulfill Your purposes in me and through me

- Your JOY made FULL in me

- Your humility, surrender, and obedience working through Your love

- Your PEACE - the eternal absence of SELF and complete presence of TRUTH

I die to SELF:

- I take up my cross daily

- I deny myself

- I lose my life to find it in You

- I crucify the flesh with its passions and desires

I BELIEVE Your Word:

- Every promise You have made

- Every truth You have revealed

- Every prophecy You will fulfill

- Your wrath will remove all enemies

- Your Kingdom will come

- Your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven

Romans 12:1-2 - I present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You. I refuse conformity to this world. Transform me by the renewal of my mind, that I may know and do Your perfect will.

Matthew 6:33 - I seek FIRST Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, trusting You to add all else.

1 Peter 5:10 - After I have suffered, You, the God of all grace, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me.

Thank You that Your PEACE guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Thank You that where SELF dies, PEACE lives.

Thank You that Your wrath will one day remove all opposition, establishing perfect, eternal PEACE.

Come, Lord Jesus. Establish Your Kingdom. Let Your PEACE reign forever.

In Your holy name,
Maranatha!
Amen.

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The Gift of Peace

The PEACE of God is:

COMPLETE - Lacking nothing
ETERNAL - Never ending
FAITHFUL - Never failing
PERFECT - No flaw
GIFT - Cannot be earned, only received

It is the absence of all SELF and the presence of all TRUTH (Jesus Christ).

God’s wrath is not cruel - it is the necessary mechanism to establish this eternal peace by removing forever all that opposes Him.

For believers, wrath fell on Christ. We receive PEACE.

For unbelievers, wrath remains. They will have no peace.

Our job: BELIEVE the Word of God.

All human will, might, effort, and power is futile compared to the TRUTH which has been written and will be fulfilled.

So we:

- Confess truth about ourselves (sin)

- Confess truth about Jesus (LORD)

- Let go of every lie and deception

- Surrender to His sovereign will

- Receive His strength, courage, power

- Trust His faithfulness to fulfill His purposes

- Let His JOY be made FULL in us

- Die to SELF daily

- Live in His PEACE

John 16:33 - “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:7 - “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The PEACE of God be with you!

Maranatha! Even so, come Lord Jesus!

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