(1) The characters of believer’s peace.
 
Here, we have the revelatory title of God as the God of peace. The Lord is a man of war: yet, he will forewarn over and over again in his long-sufferings and forbearances before he pour out his fury upon his adversaries.
We are called to live a peaceful life and be a peaceable man and woman in the Lord as it is expected of us to enforce the peace of God to rule in our heart. The key to this personal peace for a peaceable and undisturbed life is in the believer’s great admiration, application and appropriation of the written word in his day to day activities in his dealing with men and in the faces of challenges and confrontations meant to divert, disturbs and steal away or robs him of his peace…..great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. His children are at peace because they are taught by the Lord (from his word by the admonition of the Lord) and he is satisfied with quietness and peaceful life, though his daily provision with his family may be a dry morsel, which is far better off than house full of sacrifices with strife. Psalms 119: 165. Colossians 3:16. Proverbs 17:1.
The believer as the light of the world and salt of the earth is compulsory and mandated to live peaceably with all men if he has to be an effective witness and ambassador of Christ to the un-churched and unconverted. He is to seek peace and pursue it outside as well as in the church among his brethren. He should let go anything or anyone that brings commotion and brawling. He is to avoid the troublers of his peace and tranquility as he separates himself from restless people…let no man troubles me, for I bear in my body the mark of Christ. Romans 12: 18. Galatians 6:17. Proverbs 21 verses 9 and 19.
He is to seek every opportunity to bring about a calm atmosphere in his environment as a man of peace; for the Lord shall make peace in his borders and the voices of rejoicing and salvation (deliverance and victory) shall be loud and clear each day and every time from his habitation – the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the holy Ghost. For he that serves God in these things is acceptable to God and approved of men. Romans 12:18. Romans 14: 17-18. Psalms 118:15. Psalms 147: 14. Jeremiah 15:11.
God will always bless the meek (they shall inherit the earth) and the peace makers (they shall be called the children of God) ……Look unto Abraham that begat thee, for I called him alone and blessed him….but Abraham was despised and competed against by his brother’s son (Lot) for his good deeds and thoughts toward him: nonetheless, God blessed his mildness and patience toward Lot as he separated from him peacefully……And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise; walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. Genesis 13: 5-17. Isaiah 51: 1-2.
Our occupation is to focus on the Lord and goes about the kingdom engagements and businesses in the singleness of heart and clear conscience…..for who is he that will harm us if we be followers of that which is good? The haters of God shall soon be submitted unto us as long as we are not overcome with evil: but rather, overcome evil with good. If we keep the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from his precepts: sooner or later, our adversaries shall bow (Deuteronomy 33:29) and shall confess the presence and power of God in our lives even as the Philistines finally bowed to the God of Isaac and confessed his presence with his peaceful servant despite all that they did to engage him in strife by taking the wells of water he rightfully inherited from his father Abraham. Isaac wealth and prosperity could not be stopped by their wickedness and jealousy. As much as they tried to bring him down, the God of his help helped and advanced him more and more to the shame, confusion and frustration of his adversaries until they finally made a covenant of peace with him…..when a man’s way pleases the Lord, he makes his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16: 7. Jeremiah 15:11. Genesis 26: 16-31.
The believer walking daily with God shall never be moved by sudden fear, neither by the desolation of the wicked when it comes – the Lord shall be his confidence. In all the adverse situations and divine providences, he is at peace and tranquility by the unfailing promise of God that he will keep the feet of his saints and the wicked shall be silent in darkness. He shall willingly submit himself under the rod of God’s almighty for the harvest of a peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which are exercise thereby. He knows that his household is in safety and at peace from the Lord. He is not afraid of the beasts of the field, for they shall be at peace with him: for God is his refuge and strength. He is not moved even if the earth is removed and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. He is not destabilized though the waters thereof roar and be troubled and the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. He is still and quiet, for the consciousness and assurance of the Lord’s presence. He has set the Lord always at his right hand, he shall not be moved, his heart is glad, and his glory rejoices: his flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalms 16: 8-9. Psalms 46: 1-7. Job 5: 17-27. Proverbs 3: 25-26. Hebrews 12: 1-11.
 
(2) The peace with God.
 
This is the most important aspect of our relationship with God. If we are at peace with God and trusting daily in his unfailing love and unchanging faithfulness, there shall be peace within us; though the enemy might try to harass and attack by any avenue to disquiet us: yet, in peace with God, we shall not be moved by any of those things, knowing that he’s in control and sees, knows, and directs all things about us….thou (God) shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusted in thee. Isaiah 26:3-4.
The sin of our first parents’ brought universal enmity and separation between God and man, the sole reason the son of God ( Jesus the prince of peace Isaiah 9: 6-7) came into the world to reconcile all men back to fellowship and good terms with the heavenly Father. Peace with God was atoned for by Christ death in the price of his blood which was shed on the cross for the reconciliation and justification of sinners. His message was all about peace to all and sundry to reconcile all back unto God in one body in him. He paid the price of our peace with God in the chastisement he borne on our behalf. Isaiah 53: 4-5. Colossians 1:20-21. Ephesians 2: 13-17. Romans 5:1-2.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the sinful man and woman. His eyes are purer than to behold sin. There is no peace for the wicked with God and shall not stand in his sight until he utter this first word….Lord be merciful to me a sinner – the sinners shall not stand in judgment, neither the ungodly in the congregation of the righteous. Amos 9: 8-10. Isaiah 57: 15-21. Psalms 5:5.
There can no basic relationship with God, neither peace with him (Note: 2 Kings 9: 14-26) except we sincerely and wholeheartedly repent from all unrighteousness and wicked ways, bearing fruits worthy of repentance…..For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature….Romans 1: 18-32.
Reconciliation (peace) with God is the key word in the New Testament. It is the foundation of our relationship with God. It is the first step of our walk, growth in grace, daily supply of the spirit of Christ and relationship with God. It is the power to cry Abba Father. It is assurance of our union and acceptance in the beloved – for the witness of his spirit within us that we are children of God: for there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. It is the power and access to the inheritance of the saints in light and the rest for your soul in this life and in the world to come. It is the door and right to the children bread, the boldness before him when the mortal shall put on immortality…..Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraints us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him……. 1 John 5: 8. 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21.
 
(3) The peace of God.
Without the basic peace with God, we cannot have the peace of God. This is what the bible calls the phenomenal, extraordinary and outstanding peace of God which is incompressible. It is found in the spiritually minded. It is in the faith filled believer, whose main pre-occupation is to live a day at a time in their pursuit after God’s will and righteousness in the elimination of anxieties, carefulness and foreboding. Such are at rest in the provisions and benefits they received and are content, joyful and thankful in the Lord for their portion in him. Philippians 4:6-7.
The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace…..such are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. They walk daily in the fruit of the in-dwelling spirit – peace. They are patience toward all men in the longsuffering and forbearance of Christ for the sake of which they are called unto.
He that keeps the commandments shall feel no evil thing…..they shall walk in their ways safely, and their foot shall not stumble. When they lie down, they shall not be afraid: yea, they shall lie down, and their sleep shall be sweet. They shall reap increasing peace as the reward for their righteousness in Christ Jesus. When they lie down, none shall make them afraid. They shall reap increasing peace – the reward of their fruit of righteousness in Christ Jesus….And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; when it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. Isaiah 32: 17-20. Ecclesiastes 8:5
God shall employ himself for the peace of his obedient children. He shall be enemies to their enemies and curse them that curse them. Whatever it takes (2 Thessalonians 3:16) and always shall he defend, protect and constantly keep them in his rest, under the shadow of his wings…. Thus, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teaches thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me. Isaiah 48: 17-19.
The full force of the raging of sea is not enough to disquiet his beloved, resting on the bosom of his Lord and the roaring of the sea shall not trouble him who has the Lord his confidence for the peace which they had of the Lord and that which comes from the world gives – that the smiles of the world cannot give, nor the frown of the world take it away: either in good or bad times, the kingdom of God is for them righteousness, peace and joy in the holy Ghost. John 14:27. Romans 14:17.