Peace is a concept that has been around for many many years. Today when we think of peace we often think of the absence of conflict, or the gentle calmness of being alone with a good book and your favorite beverage sitting in a bay window with a view of the ocean. Sounds amazing, right? But consider this: When Jesus spoke of peace, there were no bay windows or books in the sense of what we have today. You might cuddle up in a corner with a scroll and a ladle of water instead! But peace is peace, right?
This kind of peace is not quite what God had in mind. When He spoke of peace, He had something much deeper in mind. Experiencing peace through God’s eyes includes well-being, prosperity, wholeness, balance, security, and justice, just to name a few. In Philippians 4:7 Paul says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” So God’s peace is beyond understanding, yet it’s always there for us through Christ Jesus.
Justice in the Bible is a little different than what we refer to in society today. All over the world people are protesting and fighting for justice in the legal sense, but God’s justice surpasses the law! How? Because God’s justice includes His Grace. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded that everyone has rights and that we should observe those rights and obey the laws, but Romans 3:23–24 also says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” That means that even if we aren’t able to get the legal justice we deserve, God has already given us justice through Jesus Christ.
It’s hard to look beyond the “now” when injustice is happening all around us, so this month we will turn our focus towards learning more about what God’s peace and justice means for our lives. As always, I pray that this month’s guide leads you to grow closer to God through peace and justice.
Feel free to share the link to this page (not the actual file, please).
Blessings!
Monica