LOOKING UP IN 2012: A GOD OF PEACE AND ORDER…

Hello again.  We are still discussing the communicable attributes of GOD.  Today’s is not always listed in lists of attributes of GOD, but as you think about it, I’m sure you will enjoy the importance of this as an attribute of GOD: peace and order.

It certainly seems to be an area of felt need among many in today’s society.  I’m not sure if it is only Americans who struggle in this area, or if many other cultures do as well.  I do notice that many who write blogs seem to write about aspects of peace and order that they are trying to develop in their lives and homes.

LIVING OUT OUR PEACE WITH GOD IN A BROKEN WORLD

Unfortunately, many try to legislate a system whereby others are to bring it about in the way they maintain their homes, live their lives, live out their Christianity, raise their children, yada yada!  I’m not sure the individual outworking of Biblical truth is as cut and dried as many seem to portray it.

The specific way we live this out will differ from person to person.  Part of learning this begins with being at peace with yourself in terms of your relationship with GOD and others around you.   Are you in right relationship with GOD?  with others?  Part of having a right relationship with GOD is that we will have a right relationship with others to the degree it depends on us!

WE ARE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE…NOT ROBOTS!

I’m not talking about that type of “peace” or “order” that promotes a sameness about everyone.  It would be one thing if we were all alike…but truthfully, we aren’t.  We have different strengths and weaknesses, different abilities, different gifts, different passions, and all are wrapped in different sexes and different life experiences.

To look at people as being the same…even within each sex, is not to see them as made in GOD’s image.  We are each unique and as such, we need to recognize that not everyone sees life through our grid…which can be good and bad!  It does make life interesting!

Despite the difficulty of getting along with people who are different from us, it is also easy to see the texture that our friends who are different give our lives…at least if we give them some time to tell us what is going on in their heads!  When I hear what happens in someone else’s head when making certain decisions, I often laugh…or groan.

But it tells me that there is no single motivation for specific behaviors.  Assuming I know the motivation of others gets me into a LOT of trouble.  I only know their motivation to the degree they are honest with me, but it may be very different from my motivation given the very same behavior.  Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox.  Back to the topic at hand.

WE ARE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOD OF PEACE AND ORDER IN A BROKEN, CHAOTIC WORLD

When talking about GOD being a GOD of peace, I Corinthians 14:33 stands out.  Also Romans 16:20 shows anything but a wimpy GOD.  When we see this GOD of peace, He is also has of all the other attributes in perfect balance: justice, holiness, along with love, mercy and peace.

When we are in the middle of confusion and chaos, we can infer that GOD is not the author of it.  Sometimes it is in our heads, sometimes in our homes or relationships.  The important thing to remember is that we want Him to be present.  It’s not that we need to fix everything up so He will come.  It’s that if His rule is present, there will be order…not perfection, but order and a level of peace even in the middle of chaotic circumstances.

IF I AM “IN CHRIST”, THE GOD OF PEACE DWELLS IN ME

Many of us long for internal peace, even as Christians.  We may not naturally be peaceful people.  It is something we need to learn.  I remember the Lamaze classes I took way back when, when I was pregnant with my children.  The first class I took was over 42 years ago!  We had to learn how to relax our muscles when one muscle was contracting and causing discomfort.  (Interestingly, they didn’t want us to use the word “pain”.)  It was practice for labor when the stakes were going to be much higher!

Submitting to the rule of the GOD of peace in my life will not always come easy.  This is how I will find peace and order internally.  It must start there.  It also means that the GOD of peace is separate from confusion and disorder.  When I am in turmoil, I can go to Him for order and peace in the middle of confusion and chaos.  Often, these prayers are answered via a process.  Frequently through friends and other “family” in the Body of Christ.  Often, learning to ask for help and accept it, can be difficult as well.

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PLAN ENABLED US TO LIVE AT PEACE WITH GOD IF WE ARE “IN CHRIST”

Often, when the plan of redemption is spoken of, it contains promises of peace to GOD’s people.  Here are some Scripture passage you may want to chew on as you think about these various aspects of peace.

• Philippians 4:8-9
• I Thessalonians 5:23-24
• Ephesians 2:13-19
• Isaiah 55:12
• Isaiah 48:22
• Isaiah 59:8, 20
• Psalm 121:3-4

Grudem’s definition of Peace is as follows:

God’s peace means that in GOD’s being and in His actions He is separate from all confusion and disorder, yet He is continually active in innumerable well-ordered, fully controlled, simultaneous actions.

Obviously, His peace has nothing to do with inactivity.  Rather it has to do with ordered and controlled activity.  In order to carry out this kind of activity, He must have infinite wisdom, knowledge and power.  When we think of this attribute in this way, the realization that the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 includes two aspects of it.  They are peace and self-control.

When we walk in GOD’s ways as His people, we will know more and more of living in the Kingdom of GOD…”righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)  Proverbs 3:13,17.

 

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.  

Hebrew 13:20-21

Now may the Lord of peace himself 

give you peace at all times

in every way. 

The Lord be with you all.

 II Thessalonians 3:16