Vital signs-Thursday, January 7th, 2021

Do we celebrate every situation as victor? When pressed with trials, do our thoughts and emotions honor Christ? Are we passionate enough about reconciling ourselves and others with God to joyfully pay the price?

Peace is NOT absence of emotional or physical turmoil.

The first requisite for peace is consciousness of harmonious and loving relations between us and God. The deepest secret of Christ’s peace was His unbroken consciousness of unbroken communion with the Father, in which His will was completely surrendered and his whole being hung in total dependence upon God. He shared His secret with the disciples encouraging them not to fear those who kill the body but those who kill the soul. Peace in distress comes with knowing our soul is strengthened through our physical, mental and emotional troubles. It comes with “soul vision”- seeing situations through the lens of the soul.

Creator of peace: Christ pioneers this reconciliation in the following ways: He protects our thoughts and minds from straying from Him. He ensures that no matter how oppressing the situation is, we are always victorious. He assures us that there is no reason for negative thoughts and emotions when He is on top of everything.

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

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 

Channel of Peace: A peacemaker needs to have undivided communion with God through Christ. The Greek word translated “peacemaker” is only used in one other place in the NT. It refers to one who reconciles man to God – the primary role of a peacemaker.  

“ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Col 1:20

Cost of Peace: Peace is hard won. ”But He (Jesus) was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

A peacemaker is one who is completely reconciled to God, and prepared to pay the price to reconcile others to him – just as Christ did.