HIS PEACE UPON US

Called to Be Peacemakers Contrary to the popular conception of the Messiah among Jews in the 1st century, Jesus did not come to take up his sword in order to defeat his enemies. He came in order to serve and ultimately die for his enemies. “Unlike the other kingdom-announcers of his time . . . [...]

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Excursus – Is Peace an Attribute of God? God is referred to as the “God of peace” six times in the New Testament (Rom 15:33; 16:20; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 3:16 [“Lord of Peace”]; and Heb 13:20). All of them are in benedictions. God is the God of peace because he gives [...]

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Peace in Creation and the Cosmos Christ’s peacemaking work also has cosmic purposes. By his death on the cross he began the process of reconciling all creation to himself. This will ultimately be fulfilled when God brings about the new heavens and the new earth, when the creation obtains the freedom of the glory of [...]

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Peace with Others Jesus Christ not only brings us peace with God and peace within our hearts, he also brings us peace with others because by his death he tears down all walls that divide and separate. God shows no partiality and removes all grounds of boasting before him so that we all stand before [...]

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Peace Within There is much turmoil in the world and believers are certainly not immune to the trials and temptations that come. Yet, many have testified to a remarkable calm and peace in their hearts in the midst of the most horrific trials. We experience a lack of inner peace when we are afraid, anxious, [...]

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Peace with God Humans are by nature enemies of God. We are rebel subjects who refuse to submit to our rightful king. Therefore we are traitors committing cosmic treason by seeking to overthrow the king and take his throne. Paul makes clear that apart from Jesus Christ we are “dead in our trespasses” (Eph 2:1, [...]

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The Gospel of Peace and the Death of Jesus Christ It is into the milieu of a destruction of peace (see Part 3) that Jesus Christ was born. His birth was a declaration of peace to the world, God’s very own peace initiative. After the angel had declared to the shepherds that the Messiah was [...]

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Created in Peace and the Consequence of Sin In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And what he created was good. When he had finished creating he rested, for creation was complete. Indeed, it was very good. In this creation there was peace. Adam and Eve walked in the garden with God. [...]

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Peace (shalom) in the Old Testament Before we can see how the gospel brings peace, we need to first better understand what peace is. The concept of shalom (peace) in the Old Testament is complex and worthy of diligent study. It connotes much more than just an absence of conflict. It also includes the ideas [...]

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