I discussed the source of peace in the first part of this message. I will now highlight how one can live in peace from within and with neighbors.
Living in Peace
We can live in peace which God gives to believers. It is a journey that begins with staying connected to the source of peace.
Be Born Again
After the fall of the first man and woman (Adam and Eve), man lost the peace of God and the peaceful relationship between God and man ended. According to James 4:1, human race declared war on God through lust. Thank God, the Prince of Peace came through grace and mercy to restore peace on human race nullifying hostilities by given His life.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Jesus said in John 3:3 that “…..except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” To born again means to be born of God’s Spirit through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and becoming the son or daughter of God. It is living a new live in Christ Jesus as the old sinful man is put away.
“But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
It is obvious from these scriptures that being born again does not mean either going to church every Sunday or working in the house of God as a protocol officer, usher, sanctuary keeper, preacher, chorus leader and so on.
Believing and confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior as well as forsaking one’s sins brings justification before God thereby making the believer to see (experience) the kingdom of God which is full of peace.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
The new birth in Christ translates the believer into God’s kingdom and he or she begins to enjoy the covenant of peace.
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colosians 1:13
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isaiah 54:10
You need to have Jesus in your life to have peace in all circumstances. The disciples had Jesus in their boat when there arose the turbulent wind and raging water, but Jesus stood up and spoke peace and there was great calm.
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39
When you have Jesus in your boat (life), you will enjoy all round peace despite the storms of life.
Receive the Holy Ghost Baptism
At new birth the Holy Spirit begins to work in the life of a believer. However, there is need for the believer to be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has peace as one of His fruit virtues as the Bible says in Galatians 5:22.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..”
The Holy Ghost baptism is the infilling of the Holy Spirit. It is the release of power in a believer’s life with evidence of speaking in other tongues.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4
The Holy Spirit helps the believer to live in peace from within and with neighbors. You cannot follow peace with all men without the help of the Holy Spirit.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb 12:14
The Holy Spirit helps the believer to follow peace with family relatives, marriage partner and other neighbors. He is the One who works in the believer to do what pleases God including maintaining peace. The Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Every child of God becomes a peacemaker by the help of the Holy Spirit. He teaches one how to manage conflicts with divine wisdom.
The Holy Spirit also helps the believer to pray and ensures the peace of God guides his or her mind.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus..”Phil. 4:6-7
You can prayerfully overcome worry or anxiety through the help of the Holy Spirit thereby living in peace that surpasses human understanding. You need to note that Jesus Christ is the Holy Ghost baptizer and you must be born again to be baptized. The Holy Ghost is for every believer.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Matthew 3:11
You can be filled with the Holy Spirit by believing, thirsting and asking for Him. In Luke 11:13 the Bible says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” So, I urge you to go ahead and ask for the baptism of the Holy Ghost to enjoy the peace of God.
Meditate on God’s Word
Loving and meditating on God’s word brings great peace as revealed in Psalms 119:165. The word of God powerfully destroys everything that takes away the peace of a believer.
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”
The word of God is God Himself who is peace personified. It is expedient that the believer constantly hears and feeds on God’s word to increase in faith, which enthrones peace according to Isaiah 26:3.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
The word of God is the wisdom of God which is imparted to the one that feeds or meditates on it. Further, the wisdom of God is peaceable as the Bible says in James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
I pray for someone reading this message that the Lord bless you, and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). Amen!
Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 