THE EXPERIENCE OF PEACE
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother:
2 To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Colossians 1:1-2 (CSB)
The apostle Paul hoped that the church in Colossae would experience the peace that arises solely from a relationship with the Lord. True peace originates from Jesus, the Prince of Peace, reflecting His character. Peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it is a state that influences how one handles conflicts. As we reflect on peace, we should remember that genuine peace is only possible through salvation in Jesus Christ, serves as the foundation for an abundant life, and emanates from a life rooted solely in the Lord.
Peace in Salvation. A life without Christ is marked by constant unrest, conflict, and discomfort. These realities stem from sin and the fallen flesh, pushing people to seek peace. True peace can only be found through a personal faith-based relationship with Jesus Christ. Only Christ offers genuine peace because He has addressed and overcome sin and death. Regardless of where we look for peace, without a relationship with Jesus, we will still feel unsatisfied, as real peace comes from knowing Him.
Peace in Abundant Life. The world tries to make us believe that joy and peace come from achievements, status, and material possessions. However, the Bible teaches that the abundant life is only possible through Jesus. This life surpasses anything we can imagine and offers the promise of eternal life. We walk through life with joy now and look forward to experiencing the fullness of this abundant life in God's presence in heaven. True abundance happens when we stop measuring worth by worldly standards and instead discover our true identity in Jesus.
Peace Rooted in the Lord. True peace happens in our lives when they are built on the foundation of the Lord. A life built on the Lord finds peace because the unpredictable nature of the flesh no longer controls or defines us. Peace is present even in life's storms because we rely on the Lord as our reassurance and trust Him to calm and uphold us. Therefore, amid pain, grief, and trials, we experience a peace beyond understanding, as we rest in the Lord. The apostle Paul wished for the church in Colossae to experience genuine and lasting peace.
QUESTIONS
Where do you seek to find peace when the storms and trials of life come against you?
How does the experience of peace that comes from the Lord encourage you when you face difficulty?
