Peace: January 2021
Table of Contents
Theme
What is the secret of the unhappiness and restlessness of many a saint? A hankering after rest here. God is therefore obliged to discipline and exercise that soul—to allow, it may be, some circumstance to detect the real state of the heart by touching that about which the will is concerned. Circumstances would not trouble if they did not find something in us contrary to God; they would rustle by as the wind. God deals with that in us which hinders communion, and it prevents our seeking rest unless in Him alone. His discipline is the continual and unwearied exercise of love, which does not rest now, in order that we may enter into His rest. If He destroys our rest here, if He turns our meat into poison, it is only that He may bring us into His own rest, that we may have that which satisfies His desires, not ours. “He will rest in His love” (Zeph. 3:17). If we have the consciousness of liking anything that God does not like, we cannot be at peace. Even if we have found peace of conscience about our sins, through the blood of the cross, it will destroy our communion and peace of heart if we like anything that God does not like. If there is anything not given up in the will, there cannot be peace; if we have His peace, then if God comes in, our peace will stay.
J. N. Darby
Peace - His Peace
In John 14:27, there are two characters of peace presented to us: “Peace I leave with you” and “My peace I give unto you.” We need peace, first of all, for the conscience, and this was the main object of our Lord’s coming here — specially of His death. As we are told elsewhere, He “made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20). And so, when He rises from the dead, He says to His disciples, “Peace be unto you” — a peace that so overflows that our Lord repeats it when He was sending them out. “Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you” (John 20:19,21).
The first blessed peace is between God and our souls, peace as regards the question of our sins. But this is not everything. When we have found it, it is absolutely necessary for the well-being of our souls that we should know Christ’s peace. This at once shows the difference. Christ never needed the peace which we did as having been at enmity with God, yet it was His to enjoy peace which had never been before. Therefore, He adds, “My peace I give unto you” — the peace which reigned within Him and lit up all around Him.
The Peace of Christ
In Colossians 3:15 (JND), we have the expression, “Let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body.” He, the head of the body, was always in the perfect and unbroken enjoyment of this peace, as One whom nothing ever agitated. He might suffer, sorrow, groan, weep — all these He knew — but yet in all these His peace abode.
No doubt at the cross there was a wholly different experience. We cannot speak of peace there. But that which He tasted there, we are never called to know in the slightest degree. There was a suffering there which was altogether peculiar to itself, and that hour abides alone forever. But in His ordinary dealings with God, there was one thing which never changed. All was in its just place, because our blessed Master waited upon God and drew on the infinite resources of God for each moment.
Thus, while He might occasionally burn with indignation, show tender compassion over sorrow, rebuke the disciples for their unbelief, or display righteous displeasure at the pride and hypocrisy of men, there was one thing that never failed, and this was His peace. What a thought that such is the peace which He gives to us! Jesus leaves with us, as a last legacy that comes to us from His death, peace — the righteously won portion for the soul that believes in His name.
“My Peace”
But “My peace” seems to be a deeper and more personal blessing, fresh from His own heart which was ever filled with it to overflowing. It assumes the peace that He has made for us by the blood of His cross and left to us, but it also puts us wondrously in communion with Himself, enjoying now the peace He Himself enjoyed. He gives to us His peace — He, the Lord of peace, who walked in it as none else ever did. Oh, may we treasure His peace!
The Lord of Peace
There is another scripture to which I would briefly refer — 2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means.” We hear repeatedly of God’s giving Himself the title of the God of peace, but “the Lord of peace” is a much more unusual expression. I do not think they mean exactly the same thing, however closely connected. “The God of peace” points to Him as the source of it, for He alone could be. Peace is what a sinful creature does not know, for he is afraid to look at things as they are. He shrinks back from the God that he has despised and for whose presence he is unfit. What a change when God is known to that soul as the God of peace! He is delivered from his former self and hence is placed in Christ — the One who has banished all his evil and brought him into His own good.
But “the Lord of peace” is another phase of the truth which has its own blessed importance, for it directs us to Christ Himself. It is not only that “He is our peace,” which is very true, but He is “the Lord of peace” also. By that I understand that He is the One who knows how to bring about peace — the One who is above all the circumstances that tend to disturb.
In this chapter, then, the Lord Jesus has left us peace as the fruit of His death — the peace that we receive by faith in Him. But then He gives us the same character of peace which He enjoyed Himself. The peace that Christ gives is peace in communion with Him after we have received peace through His death. It is a wonderful thing that such hearts as ours should be capable of such communion with Him, in that which is naturally so contrasted with our own condition. The reason is this, that we know that God now has replaced the first man by the second, and the more simply we apply this to our own souls, the more calm we are amid things that tend to trouble. We can count upon Him.
The God of Peace
If there are things quite outside our control, in whose hands are they? We know that they are in the hands of God, and our God is the God of peace. What we have to guard against is our own will, our own nature being acted upon, for we ought not to be governed by circumstances. We are brought into the light of the presence of God; it is there that we walk, and believing this and resting upon it is precisely the point of faith for us day by day. What a deliverance from everything like deceit or unchristian-like ways, which we shall be sure to fall into if we lose sight of Him. If we are not consciously walking with Him, then self is sure to show itself in the various forms of fallen Adam.
We have the Lord of peace to look to, who is at the helm, and not only preserves the ship but controls the elements. We do not count upon circumstances, nor upon people, for we often have the deepest sorrow from those whom we count upon most. God will not allow us to make an idol of anything or anyone. We have God above everything, and not only that, we have a Man above everything — a Man glorified and set over all the works of God’s hands. That Man is our Lord, and our Lord is the Lord of peace. What a blessing! Surely it is in His power, and “faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thess. 5:24).
Bible Treasury, Vol. 8 (adapted)
A Great Calm
In Mark 4:26-29, we find a similitude of the kingdom not mentioned by the other evangelists. It follows the parable of the sower and the Lord’s explanation of it to His disciples. We should bear in mind that this gospel presents our Lord Jesus Christ as the Servant-Prophet, the Minister of the Word. Then the chapter concludes with their entering the boat and crossing the lake.
Sleep and Rise
We have first, in the parable of the sower, the new place the Lord takes consequent upon His rejection. He brings that which has life in it, instead of seeking fruit from men. He explains the parable, and then He gives the similitude of the kingdom that shows what would succeed the time of seed-sowing by the Lord personally — the time He would absent Himself from the scene of labor. According to all appearance, He would not only take no active part in tending the seed, but would seem to take no interest in it. It is as if He “should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, He knoweth not how” (Mark 4:27). Let us observe, in passing, the expression “sleep, and rise,” for this thought seems to recur at the close of the chapter. The earth brings forth fruit of itself, but at harvesttime the Lord personally reasserts His place and puts in the sickle. So will it be at the end of the age. The parable of the mustard tree follows, which develops the thought of what Christendom would become in the world during Christ’s absence. Springing from the smallest of seeds, it would become great. It becomes “greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches,” so that the fowls of the air (the powers of evil) may lodge under the shadow of it.
Now this is what we find true today. Christendom has become a worldly power, and for faith there is often the deep exercise, “Where is Christ in all this?” What a comfort that, when they were alone, “He expounded all things to His disciples.” If we cultivated communion more with Christ alone, we should understand His things better. The slackness is with us, never with Him.
The Other Side
In our chapter, the evening has now come at the close of the day of toil, and likewise the day of seed-sowing and salvation is rapidly drawing to an end. What has the heart of the disciple to steady it in a world like this, which becomes a foreign element to him when he knows Christ? Oh! these blessed words, “Let us pass over unto the other side” (Mark 4:35). What security they breathe! What joy! In spite of the fact that the world does not see Him, we see Him (John 14:19), and in all the confusion of the present moment, His Word strengthens the feeble and claims the allegiance of all. “Let us pass over unto the other side.” How could there be room for fear in the hearts of the disciples if they had seen what the words implied? They meant that He charged Himself with their safety right over to the other shore. And yet they cry out at the appearance of danger, with the unbelieving thought that He did not care if they perished!
He Slept and He Arose
Yes! but you may say He was asleep. Beloved, after that word, “Let us go,” whatever happened, they were secure. It was only to sight and sense that He seemed to take no interest in their welfare, but neither the storms of life nor all the powers of evil can engulf us if we confide in Him. He slept, but at their cry He arose (compare vs. 27) and rebuked the elements; the disciples saw the power and love that was with them all the time, though they did not know it. “There was a great calm” (vs. 39). Is it too much to say that spiritually such a juncture as this occurs in the history of each of us? The power of death affrights the soul, but acquaintance with Christ’s Word and the knowledge of His presence quiets every fear for the journey. It is only in unbelief that He does not care. And when our hearts know Him thus and know that He is with us “all the days, until the completion of the age” (Matt. 28:20 JND), what fear can remain? Is there not “a great calm” in the soul?
In the midst of all the dangers, the heaving and tossing and threatening of the billows, do we know that voice that speaks not only peace to the elements, but a great calm to the heart, by the same almighty power? The Lord give all His saints to know Him better in this way.
F. W. Lavington (adapted)
Be at Peace Among Yourselves
“Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thess. 5:13). How often the opposite of this is seen in assemblies. Too frequently there is a state of envy and strife. “If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15). It has not been the enemy from without; we have perished in mutual slaughter. “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33), but we have a right to expect better things in the assembly.
The word “Jerusalem” means “a dwelling in peace,” and each assembly should be a kind of little Jerusalem. Some will say, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17). But the one who allows the flesh in correcting evil is allowing the very thing he is contending against, and he seeks the cleansing of another with soiled hands. To use the “water of separation,” you must be “a clean person” (Num. 19). Moreover, it does not say, “Wisdom that is from above is only pure,” but “first pure,” clearly implying it has other qualities. It is “peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy.” It is sad that the traits of gentleness and mercy are far too often wanting in those who contend for purity. God has joined these together; shall we divorce them? Truth has its companion virtue, for “by mercy and truth iniquity is purged” (Prov. 16:6).
Full of Mercy
Do not miss, “full of mercy.” We would never contend for the toleration of evil, for holiness becomes the house of the Lord forever. But is holiness secured and His glory maintained at the sacrifice of the graces He enjoins — meekness, gentleness and mercy? The thing we are considering is not a cold, abstract proposition; it involves consciences and hearts, and our behavior before God. Is not His honor as much connected with my conduct in setting things right as with the conduct of the one who is already gone wrong? Beloved brethren, in many who are most zealous for the truth in this connection, there is room for self-judgment; indeed the dust becomes us every one. If Satan can spoil an action by carrying us beyond the truth in dealing with sin (and it is difficult not to do this), he has triumphed.
You cannot wash a brother’s feet with a club, nor is it a long-distance action, as by a mop. You must be at his feet to cleanse them properly. And do not forget the action of the towel. The thing should be done so thoroughly that nothing is left even to suggest that the brother ever needed cleansing; otherwise you are indulging lack of confidence, and the breach remains. Upon hearing another say, “I have no confidence in that brother,” the one spoken to replied, “Have you any in yourself?” The truth has a reflex action, so when you direct it at another, you may, and should, feel the edge of it yourself.
The Spirit of Meekness
“If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). If there is one place more than another where we betray our lack of spirituality, it is in our inability to restore those who are overtaken. I solemnly believe the Lord has a controversy with us, not only for what we allow in others, but for what we allow in ourselves in the spirit and temper of our action towards those failing. We might ponder with profit Psalm 103:8-14. We must “stand fast” as to truth, but stand where His searching light shines on us as on our brother; we must hold the truth, “as the truth is in Jesus,” who was “meek and lowly in heart.” He was the great peacemaker, and it cost Him most dearly. It may cost us something to make peace, but in it we are blessed.
The Peace of Christ
“The peace of Christ” must preside in our own hearts (Col. 3:15 JND) if it is to spread to others. “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:18). It should be written before our souls in letters bold and bright, “GOD IS RICH IN MERCY,” although it should never degenerate so as to tolerate evil in ourselves or in others. For those who have been dealt with in faithful discipline, may we cultivate the spirit of: “Since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still” (Jer. 31:20).
The Lord’s Glory
We are gathered around the Lord of glory. What a leveller this title carries! I have no doubt the Spirit of God adopts this as suited to the line of things before Him in James 2. Whatever my rank, what am I in such a presence? We are saved alike through the merit of another; our standing in Christ is the same — “neither bond nor free.” How sweetly it is added, “But Christ is all, and in all” (Col. 3:11). That man is most cultured who is most with God. This shatters our rude human standards, but what is so refining as the holiest of all? Is it not to be deplored that personal feeling is sometimes covered with the screen of concern for His glory? “Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified.” To which is added, “But He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed” (Isa. 66:5).
In this, I would not furnish relief for those reaping the fruit of their sin, but I would lay bare that subtle evil that too often passes undetected and that has not only failed to secure His name from reproach, but has plunged the assembly into confusion, breaking the free flow of love and fellowship until it is anything but a dwelling in peace.
The Lord pity us in our feebleness and failure. May we walk with bowed head and chastened spirit, alive to His interests, while cultivating that love which covers a multitude of sins, instead of exposing them to others. To indulge in ourselves what we decry in others spells disaster.
True Love
True love, and not mere sentiment, will take shape according to the state of the object of it. It will not always be an affable thing. It will seek the blessing, and not merely the gratification, of its object. But laxity is not to be met with legality. When Timothy has lost his courage, Demas has gone to the world, and all have turned away, Paul writes, “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1). He “loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” But, in the midst of its failure, He is “girt about the paps with a golden girdle”; His love is restrained, righteously held in. Commenting on the expression, “righteously restrained,” someone recently wrote to me, “I should be sure that is what I mean when I say it. We need to guard against a phrase as being used from habit. I have seen it used, unconsciously no doubt, as a cloak for impatience and personal feeling.”
A good test might be, Does it gratify or grieve me? Do I feel it in love? Do I carry it as a sorrow? Do I tell it to others or to Him?
F. C. Blount (adapted)
Peace as Presented in the Gospel of Luke
Peace Prophesied
“Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord ... to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:76-79).
It was thus that Zacharias, being filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke of his infant son John. How great and wonderful are the blessings which he prophesied should come to men by the advent into the world of the Lord Jesus Christ; blessings having the TENDER MERCY OF OUR GOD as their source.
These blessings are: —
1. LIGHT for those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.
2. REMISSION OF SINS.
3. THE KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION, and these three leading up to what cannot be known without them —
4. THE WAY OF PEACE.
Do we know that our sins are all forgiven, with the certain knowledge of it? If so, we have been guided into the way of peace! Could anything be more blessed than to be assured of the possession of all these things, in the Lord Jesus Christ? It was John’s mission to announce the advent of the Lord Jesus, the One who would bring these blessings to men.
Peace Proposed
Luke 2:1-20
All the world was set in motion by a decree of Augustus, but he little thought that it was to bring about the fulfillment of God’s Word by His prophet, for Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem according to Micah 5:2.
That despised and unnoticed Babe was the Eternal Son of the Father — the Son of God — the Creator, and Upholder of all things! God come down to men, and to be a man to reach them!
To the humble shepherds on the hillsides of Judea appeared a multitude of angels praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good pleasure in men” (Luke 2:14 JND).
Glory is ascribed to God in the highest, and PEACE is announced for the earth in connection with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But “peace on earth” depended on the earth’s acceptance of the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord, and lasting peace is impossible otherwise. Has He been received in this way by the world? Most assuredly not. In short, “His life was taken from the earth” (Acts 8:33). and with Him all hopes of peace for earth have been taken too, until He comes again in judgment. Only then will He establish peace with righteousness as its basis.
Peace Possessed
Luke 2:25-32
But the fact remains, that the peace which the world had refused can be had and enjoyed by every individual ready to receive the Lord as Savior. As an example of this, peace entered Simeon’s soul, when the infant Jesus was brought by the parents into the temple. Simeon took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation” (Luke 2:29-30). So it will be with all who take the Lord Jesus as their Savior. In Him both salvation and peace are found.
Peace Pretended
Luke 11:14-22
In spite of the fact that the Jews did not receive Him, Jesus went about doing good among them, but the Pharisees attributed His miracles to the devil. But the fact is, man was under the power of Satan, and the Lord Jesus came to break Satan’s power. “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils” (Luke 11:21-22).
From this we learn that there is a kind of peace which the devil ministers to his dupes. He is “the strong man armed, the world is his “palace,” and unsaved sinners are his “goods.” The Lord Jesus came to give peace, but they blasphemed against Him. The truth is that “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isa. 57:21).
Peace Precluded (on Earth)
Luke 12:49-53
The manifest rejection of the Lord in Luke 11 prepares us for the surprise in Luke 12:49-53, where there seems to be a contradiction of the announcement of the angel in Luke 2, “Peace on earth.” “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay: but rather division.”
This is startling, but it confirms that the rejection of the Lord is wholly incompatible with the realization of peace on earth. Therefore, when His rejection came clearly into view, the Lord plainly repudiates any idea of peace on earth being possible. For those who receive Him, there is indeed peace to be enjoyed, but this poor “earth” may look in vain for it until after judgment has cleared out of His kingdom “all things that offend, and them which do iniquity” (Matt. 13:41). It is only “when [His] judgments are in the earth,” that “the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9).
Peace Perpetuated (in Heaven)
Luke 19:37-44
“And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: PEACE IN HEAVEN, and glory in the highest.”
It was now no longer “peace on earth” but “peace in heaven.” And why this striking change? Because the Lord was going there after that He had risen from the dead. Peace follows Him, and wherever He is received, peace must be.
Peace Postponed
Luke 19:41-44
“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes...because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”
Poor Jerusalem! The time of her visitation by the Prince of Peace had come, but she remained sullen and unapproachable. She did not know the time of her visitation, and in this she was as the world of today! The tender heart of the blessed Lord was filled with grief as He looked down from the Mount of Olives upon the guilty city, and He wept over it.
But we may comfort our hearts with the contemplation of the fact that in a future day it will be different, and Jerusalem will not only know the Lord (the city where He was crucified) as Lord and King, but from that then blessed spot will flow peace to the whole world?
Then, indeed shall Jerusalem know “THE THINGS THAT BELONG UNTO THY PEACE.”
Peace Proclaimed
Luke 24:36
Before Jesus spoke the gladdening words “Peace be unto you,” He made peace “by the blood of His cross,” meeting all the just claims of a holy God. God, in consequence of this, has raised Him from the dead. He was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification, that being justified by faith we might have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ. So that what the world lost by the rejection of the Lord, the individual believer can have and enjoy by faith on the blessed Savior, who ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
To sum up, then, what has been before us as gleaned from the gospel of Luke:
was prophesied by Zacharias,
was proposed by the angels,
was possessed by Simeon,
is pretended by Satan,
is precluded from earth during Christ’s rejection,
is perpetuated in heaven,
is postponed for Jerusalem until she shall receive the returning King,
is proclaimed to believers now that Christ has risen;
and it may be added, is personified in heaven, where peace is established, for “HE IS OUR PEACE” (Eph. 2:14).
J. C. Trench (adapted)
Righteousness in Peace
The expression “fruit of righteousness” (or “fruits of righteousness”) occurs three times in the New Testament. In Philippians 1:11, it is connected with our approval of “things that are excellent,” by which we will be filled with the “fruits of righteousness” until we are manifested in glory in the day of Christ. In Hebrews 12:11 it is connected with our conduct toward God, in the accepting of chastisement and profiting by it. In James, however, it is connected with our conduct toward others, and thus peace is brought into it; “the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace” (James 3:18 JND).
The Cost to Make Peace
It is not easy, in a world characterized by sin, to bring righteousness and peace together. Our blessed Savior did it at the cross, for it was only then that it could be said, “Righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psa. 85:10). But making this peace cost our Lord and Savior His life and the untold sufferings in the three hours of darkness. Now we enjoy peace with God as to our sins, for “His dear Son” has “made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:13,20), in order that grace might “reign through righteousness unto eternal life” (Rom. 5:21).
It is wonderful to enjoy this peace within, which every true believer is entitled to enjoy. But concerning this world, our Lord Himself could say, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:51). We live in an unrighteous world, and as such, there can never be real peace until our blessed Master has His rightful place. This world rejected the Prince of peace, and instead chose a man who combined in his character almost every violent sin — murder, insurrection, sedition and robbery. It is not surprising that neither righteousness nor peace has characterized this world ever since. Peace on this earth, with righteousness, will come only with judgment, for “when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9). At that same time, in the millennium, we read that “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isa. 32:17). Righteousness and peace will both be seen in that day. What about now?
Righteousness With Grace
The division to which our Lord referred in Luke 12:51 is the division between believers and unbelievers—between those who accept the Lord Jesus and those who reject Him. There can be no real fellowship between the two groups, for “what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14). As we have pointed out, the world is characterized by a lack of righteousness and a lack of peace as well. But this brings us to believers, who, having a new life in Christ, should exhibit both righteousness and peace. This is not always easy to achieve! Surely a believer should always be righteous in his dealings, but an overemphasis on righteousness without grace can falsify our Christianity and bring in self. As another has said, “Righteousness, specially when connected with character and honor, is rigid and repulsive, because it is afraid of itself and for itself.” In order to have righteousness with peace, grace must be brought in. Again, to quote the same author, “Grace which dwells in perfect righteousness, being above the thought of self, because it is divine in its nature and being secure in perfect righteousness within, is gracious in tone without, can think for others. Such was Christ.”
It is this grace, active in the heart of a believer, which enables righteousness to exist with peace, and when this is so, as we have in James 3:18, “the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.” It is grace that has made peace for us, in Christ, on Calvary’s cross; it is this same grace that, operative in believers, makes peace among them, yet maintains righteousness. Self is not brought in, for grace thinks for others, not for self. Righteousness is there, for the grace of God has been displayed in perfect righteousness, but it is not righteousness reigning; rather, “grace reigns through righteousness,” as we have seen (Rom. 5:21). The grace of God, while fully maintaining righteousness, does so in a way that refers all to Christ, rather than to self.
The Fruit Appears
However, we notice that the “fruit of righteousness in peace” is “sown”; that is, the fruit may not immediately appear. In natural things, a great deal of time may elapse between sowing and reaping. In the case of the Lord Jesus, despite His display of unparalleled grace to man, He was rejected. The fruit of that grace came later, and it has yet to be fully displayed, for it is still in the future that He will “see of the travail of His soul” and “shall be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11). So it often is for believers. There are those who make peace, acting in both righteousness and peace, yet find that the fruit that ought to be seen does not immediately appear. Just as unregenerate man rejected truth, grace and love in the Lord Jesus, so a believer, if the flesh is active, may do the same thing. Envy and strife, along with other personal feelings, may be operative in the objects of those who make peace and prevent “the fruit of righteousness in peace” from ripening as it should.
This is potentially discouraging, yet let us remember that we are not to be “weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). If God has graciously sown the seed for us, we may depend on Him to bring it to fruition. Indeed, the use of the word “fruit” in the verse implies that the blessed result of making peace will appear. Sometimes it may appear right away, for which we can be thankful and encouraged. How wonderful it is to see the fruit of righteousness in peace displayed among the saints of God! But if the fruit is delayed, let us rest in the fact that, if we act with righteousness in peace, through grace, the seed has been sown, and the fruit will surely arrive.
W. J. Prost
The Counsel of Peace
Zechariah 6 was written after the return of the Jews from Babylon and was intended to encourage them in the work of rebuilding the temple. But “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation,” and thus the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ is looked forward to as the true consummation. So here, after an allusion to the history of God’s providence in the four great monarchies and to the judgment of Babylon, the prophet comforts the hearts of those who had returned with a direct prophecy of Christ.
The Spirit of God in Scripture always looks on to Christ, seeing all things as they concern Him and His future glory. The many deliverers raised up of God for the Jews in times of need were only types of the “Savior.” And so here: “He shall build the temple of the Lord: even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zech. 6:12-13). It is “the man whose name is The BRANCH” who shall do all this; Zerubbabel is merely a type. Whether it affects the destinies of man, of Israel or of the church, all centers in Jesus. God’s thoughts about Jesus are marked on all.
Future Glories
It must have been a great comfort to the saints of old to have future glories thus opened to them, for whenever the Holy Spirit had awakened spiritual desires in any heart, those desires could not be satisfied with temporal deliverance or blessing. They had much for which to thank the Lord, but there was always either the actual presence of evil or the fear of danger and evil.
So it is with the church now. We have indeed greater blessings and clearer revelations, but still there is evil. In times of the greatest revivals, there has always been that mixed with them which tended to evil. Never, till He appears, will the full desires of our hearts be given us; never, until we “awake in [His] likeness,” shall we really be “satisfied.” Nothing less will do, because the Spirit of Christ is in us. Our hopes run on to God’s ultimate purpose of complete blessing.
And here we have unity of hope with the Jews. They are looking for earthly glory; we also look forward to see the earth “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” (Hab. 2:14), while our hope is Christ’s own proper portion in the heavenly glory. Both earthly and heavenly glories meet in Jesus and will be manifested when He comes. He is the head of both. “The counsel of peace” is between Jehovah and the Messiah.
Christ on the Throne
But where is Jesus now? As the “priest upon His throne,” He does not yet rule, but He has sat down upon the “Father’s throne” — “at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” There He is as the High Priest of His people. And thus is given to us a plain revelation of “the counsel of peace” which belongs to us even now, in the midst of present trouble, but still God’s peace. I may have my spirit much disturbed and know trial of heart, but still I have a title to perfect peace in it all; not only peace with God, but peace concerning every circumstance, because God is “for us” in it all.
If God had made peace with Adam, it could not have lasted: The enmity in the heart of man would very soon have broken it again. And it would always be the same, for the very will of man is altogether wrong. “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). But now “the counsel of peace” is between God and Jesus, instead of man, and hence there is security. The word “counsel” implies deliberate purpose. What solidity must there be in that peace about which God had a “counsel” and all the engagements of which the mind of Jesus fully entered into and accomplished! As to our circumstances, God is taking up all that concerns us to make “all things work together” for our good, and the knowledge of this gives peace in all circumstances, even those of trial, perplexity and sorrow. “Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb. 12:3); yet He had always peace. And so might we: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee” (Isa. 26:3).
Counsel Between God and Jesus
But then it is most important to see that “the counsel of peace” is entirely between God and Jesus. The moment we begin to rest our peace on anything in ourselves, we lose it, and this is why so many saints do not have settled peace. We can have settled peace only by having it in God’s own way. We must not rest on anything, even the Spirit’s work within us, but on what Christ has done. In Christ alone God finds that in which He can rest, and so it is with His saints. What Jesus is, and what Jesus did, is the only ground at all on which we can rest.
Jesus came into this world and glorified God, where honor to God was wanting. When God’s eye rested upon Jesus, He was perfectly satisfied. Nothing was found in Him but perfect love and perfect devotedness to God. Even when forsaken of God, He still justifies Him — “Thou art holy.” According to “the counsel of peace,” He gave Himself; it was for us that He “made peace by the blood of the cross,” and thus He was, unto God, a “sweet savor of rest” for us. All is done, and Jesus, in proof that all is finished, has sat down on the throne of God. His sitting down is the proof that He has nothing more to do in that way for His friends; now He only waits “till His enemies be made His footstool.”
His Priesthood
But in order that we may have the enjoyment of these things, He is acting in another way as Priest. Having the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, we consequently see many things in ourselves contrary to Him, that would hinder fellowship with God. We need His priesthood in order to maintain our communion with God; we need Him in our daily sins, as it is said, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). On our behalf before God, we need the accomplisher of “the counsel of peace” — “Jesus Christ the righteous.”
Here then is “the counsel of peace” which was purposed between God and Jesus. Here only have we peace. God has publicly owned His acceptance of Christ’s work, by seating Him at His own right hand. The Holy Spirit is sent to witness to us that Jesus is now “on the throne of God,” having “by one offering perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14).
Be Careful for Nothing
We may have a great deal of trial, but still we have the perfect certainty of God’s favor, and “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). “Be careful for nothing; but in everything, 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). The word is “be careful for nothing”: If one single thing were excepted, God would not be God. If we are troubled in spirit, let us go to God about it.
We have need of this “counsel of peace,” because all that we are in ourselves is enmity against God. I cannot go out of this “counsel” to look at my own heart for a moment: It is “between them both.”
Who or what shall separate us from “the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?” Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword? No, these things shall, as means for mortifying the flesh, only minister to Christ’s glory. Shall death? It will only bring us into His presence. Shall life? It is that by which we enjoy His favor. He is “on the throne” as the eternal witness of peace accomplished, and thence He ministers it to us.
J. N. Darby (adapted)
The Lord of Peace
“Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means” (2 Thess. 3:16).
“The God of Peace” and “The Prince of Peace” are familiar expressions, which have become exceedingly dear to our souls, each carrying its own special message to our hearts. But the expression, “The Lord of Peace,” is perhaps not so often thought of, although in these days of sorrow it carries a peculiarly precious message to us.
In the beginning of 2nd Thessalonians, we find the apostle commending the Thessalonian saints for their love one to another — “the love of each one of you all towards one another abounds” (2 Thess. 1:3 JnD). But in the third chapter, as he nears the end of the epistle, he gives a most solemn command, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition [or instruction] which he received of us” (2 Thess. 3:6). The disorder at Thessalonica seems to have been that there were some who were “working not at all,” but were “busy-bodies.” But the Word goes even further — “If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:14-15). Among the words given “by this epistle” we find the following, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [or instruction], which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15).
No Company with the Disorderly
These commands are very searching and very solemn, and must have been especially painful to the saints at Thessalonica, where “the love of each one of you all towards one another abounds.” What is there that causes more real sorrow and pain than to be compelled “not to keep company with” or to have to “withdraw from” a dearly beloved brother? Not only must the very heartstrings of these dear Thessalonian saints have been torn by such commands, but the very peace of the assembly seemed to be at stake. Yet such are the clear and solemn commands, “withdraw yourselves,” “keep no company.”
What is the comfort and source of strength that God gives for such a moment? “The Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means,” or as another translation beautifully puts it, “at all times and under all circumstances.” Because HE is our LORD, our path is implicit obedience to His Word, painful though it may be at times. How precious, then, to remember that our Lord is “The Lord of Peace” and that He can give peace, as well as joy and courage, at all times, yes, even in our times! and under all circumstances, yes, even in our circumstances!
G. C. Willis
True and Lasting Peace
More than ten years ago, in the August 2010 issue of The Christian, we discussed the subject of world peace. At that time, the United States and Russia had just signed another disarmament treaty, with a view to reducing the stockpile of nuclear weapons in each country. Other nations commended this move and felt that it was one more step toward world peace. But needless to say, ten years later the sought-for peace is more elusive than ever. More and more trouble spots have flared up in the world, and most have defied all efforts to quench them. Serious difficulties and civil war in Syria and Lebanon continue to rock the Middle East, as well as continued hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians. (The massive explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, 2020, with a large number of casualties and tremendous structural damage, has further complicated the peace process in the Middle East.) The Taliban is gaining ground in Afghanistan, while Yemen is racked by civil war, resulting in thousands of casualties from both war and famine. Despite the presence of U.S. troops, Iraq continues to be unstable, and Iran threatens the world with its push to acquire nuclear weapons. Various countries in Africa, such as Libya, Nigeria and Somalia, rumble with unrest.
China and North Korea
The largest difficulties, however, concern China and North Korea. In the same year that the United States and Russia signed the disarmament treaty to which we have referred, China overtook Japan to become the second largest economy in the world. Since then China has flexed its muscles both economically and militarily, and it has tried to dominate Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. Its aggressive maneuvers, such as creating new islands on which to build airport landing strips, have angered other nations and fueled tensions in the area. Their recent curtailment of liberty in Hong Kong has resulted in widespread protests and likewise has outraged other nations. Meanwhile, North Korea has continued its challenge to the world, and to the United States in particular, having persisted in building and testing nuclear weapons, while impoverishing its people.
The Western Hemisphere
Even in the Western Hemisphere, drug wars in Mexico between rival gangs have escalated to the point where the government seems unable to deal with them, and there are also serious trouble spots in South America, such as Venezuela and Colombia. In the United States, incidents of alleged police brutality and racism have erupted into serious riots and anarchy, and they have further divided the country. There seems to be no area of the world where potential trouble does not exist.
The Pandemic
Added to all this has been the coronavirus pandemic, which has enveloped the entire world, seriously damaged trade and commerce, and killed hundreds of thousands of people. Before the pandemic settles down, many more will likely die, not only as a result of the virus, but also from disruptions in the world food supply, which was already precarious in a number of areas. Tensions between nations have predictably increased, as each seeks to protect its own interests, protect the health of its people, and preserve its economy. Many in poorer countries are throwing up their hands in despair, as they wonder which is worse — to die through economic collapse and famine or from catching the COVID-19 virus. Where is true peace to be found in such an environment?
The Prince of Peace
As we pointed out in the article on “World Peace” ten years ago, the root of war is selfishness, and the root of selfishness is sin. Very few in this world actually choose war; rather, man chooses selfishness, and the result is war. When God sent His Son into this world as “the Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6), this world rejected Him with one consent and chose a man who combined in his character many criminal tendencies. The world is no different today. Two years ago, during an interview, a Roman Catholic archbishop was asked why the name of Jesus Christ was not invoked more frequently in speeches to the U.N. by representatives of the Vatican. The archbishop defended their approach by saying that they preferred “using the language of human rights that’s common in the U.N. system” in order to “try to reach out to all people, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, people of all persuasions.” This attitude is general, for while man may, in a conventional way, acknowledge the existence of God, his natural heart hates the revelation of God in Christ.
God is now offering peace to man, as individuals, if they will repent and come to Christ, and He has sent out His servants “preaching peace by Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36). As the blessed result of there being “peace in heaven” (Luke 19:38), all who believe can have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Nothing that happens in this world can touch the source of that peace, and thus the believer in the Lord Jesus can enjoy “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7), in all the trials and difficulties of life in this world.
World Peace
But what about lasting peace for this world? Are strife, warfare and bloodshed to continue indefinitely? Absolutely not, for God has solemnly decreed, “Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion” (Psa. 2:6). But two things are absolutely necessary for world peace — Christ’s exaltation in this world and the absence of sin. No effort of man in himself can bring about peace; it must come from God’s intervention, and our Lord Jesus Christ must be given His rightful place. Only when “Thy judgments are in the earth” will “the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9). This will take place during the 1000 years of the millennium, when our Lord Jesus Christ will reign in righteousness. During that time, “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isa. 32:17).
The Millennium
But will there be the complete absence of sin during the millennium? Apparently not, for there will be those who submit to Christ out of fear, but with no real change in their hearts. From time to time evil will raise its head, although it will be dealt with every day. “Every morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land: to cut off all workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah” (Psa. 101:8 JND). Righteousness will indeed reign during that blessed era. Then, at the end of that wonderful time, Satan will again be loosed and lead a final rebellion of awesome proportions, with numbers “as the sand of the sea” (Rev. 20:8). One thousand years of perfect government and prosperity will not have changed man’s natural heart; when given the opportunity, they will once again unite against the Lord Jesus Christ. When this rebellion has been put down, God will usher in a time of eternal blessing — a kingdom where righteousness will dwell.
The Eternal State
During the eternal state — the “day of God”—our Lord Jesus Christ will indeed have His rightful place, not so much in a visible kingdom on earth, but rather in that eternal kingdom that will indeed last, not merely for 1000 years, but forever. Also, sin will never be seen again, for the full result of the work of Christ will be displayed. As the “Lamb of God,” He will have taken away “the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Let us quote others who have described that day:
“The kingdom of God is a vast moral kingdom with the Son of Man at its head, God having committed it to Him forever (2 Peter 1:11; John 5:22). This eternal kingdom will be distinct from the millennial kingdom. In the kingdom of God, all will have a new nature joyfully subject to Christ and the Father, and grace will rule our souls in liberty and peace.
“All mankind and angels will be the inhabitants of this kingdom; all authority will be in the hands of Christ as a man forever, with the church (Rev. 21:10). Christ will be head of the government, over the creation as a man. The heavenly Jerusalem will be the seat of the government. ‘Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen’ (1 Tim. 1:17).”
C. E. Lunden
“‘The kingdom of the world of our Lord and of His Christ is come, and He shall reign to the ages of ages’ (Rev. 11:15 JND). Voices in heaven announce the fact of the reign of Jehovah and of His Christ according to Psalm 2, and that He (for John, as always, unites both in one thought) should reign forever and ever, and so it will be. But both the earthly and the eternal kingdom are celebrated, only in the eternal kingdom the distinction of the worldly kingdom and of Christ’s subordination is omitted. In the thanksgiving of the elders, Jehovah Elohim Shaddai [Lord God Almighty] is also celebrated, as the great King who takes to Him His power and reigns; for it is God’s kingdom.”
J. N. Darby (commenting on Rev. 11:15-17)
Eternal Peace
In the presence of sin and without Christ, world peace will always be an impossible goal for mankind. But God will bring it in, in His time, and it will last for all eternity. The believer can rest in this prospect, knowing that nothing can frustrate the purposes of God in Christ.
At length — the final kingdom,
No bound, no end possessing:
When heaven and earth —
God all in all
Shall fill with largest blessing.
All root of evil banished,
No breath of sin to wither,
On earth — on high —
Naught else but joy,
And blissful peace for ever!
G. Gilpin
W. J. Prost
Be Careful for Nothing
The Word of God tells us, “Be careful [or anxious] for nothing” (Phil. 4:6). What shall I do then? Go to God. “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Then, in the midst of all the care, you can give thanks. And we see the exceeding grace of God in this. It is not that you are to wait till you find out if what you want is the will of God. No. “Let your requests be made known.” Have you a burden on your heart? At once go with your request to God: it is not said that you will get it. Paul, when he prayed, had for answer, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
His “peace will keep your hearts and minds” not, you will keep His peace. Is He ever troubled by the little things that trouble us? Do they shake His throne? He thinks of us, we know, but He is not troubled; and the peace that is in God’s heart is to keep ours. I go and carry it all to Him, and I find Him all quiet about it. It is all settled. He knows quite well what He is going to do. I have laid the burden on the throne that never shakes, with the perfect certainty that God takes an interest in me. The peace in which He is, keeps my heart, and I can thank Him even before the trouble has passed. I can say, Thank God, He takes an interest in me. It is a blessed thing that I can have His peace, and thus go and make my request — perhaps a very foolish one — and, instead of brooding over trials, that I can be with God about them.
Is it not sweet to see that, while He carries us up to heaven, He comes down and occupies Himself with everything of ours here? While our affections are occupied with heavenly things, we can trust God for earthly things. He condescends to everything. As Paul says, “Without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us” (2 Cor. 7:5-6). It was worth being cast down to get that kind of comfort. Is He a God afar off, and not a God nigh at hand? He does not give us to see before us, for then the heart would not be exercised; but though we do not see Him, He sees us, and is at hand to give us all that kind of comfort in the trouble.
J. N. Darby
Anxiety
When we are not anxious, the mind set free, and the peace of God keeping the heart, God sets the soul thinking on happy things. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest – just – pure – lovely – of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9). God is there the companion of the soul; not merely “the peace of God,” but “the God of peace.”
Christian Friend, 1874
He Giveth Quietness
“When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?” (Job 34:29).
“Quiet from fear of evil,”
Lord, give us this to know,
To Thy blest words to hearken
And Thou wilt peace bestow;
Thy blessed peace, Lord Jesus,
Thou would’st indeed impart
To those who hear Thee speaking,
Who know Thy loving heart.
Quiet in scenes of turmoil,
Peaceful amidst the strife;
Sorrowful, yet rejoicing;
Dying, yet found in life;
Not fearing evil tidings,
Heart fixed on Thee alone,
Trusting Thy love almighty,
Faithful, unchanging One.
With trouble surging round us,
Unrest on every hand,
Thou’lt keep Thine own, Lord Jesus,
Until they reach that land —
Where tempest never rises,
Where there will be no night,
To dwell in bliss unclouded
With Thee in glory bright.
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