If you want God’s peace, you must do what God’s word tells you to do in order to receive it.
I love the Apostle Peter’s greeting in his first epistle:
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I Peter 1:1-5, KJV
There’s a lot of theology in this beautiful opening, but I want to call your attention to Peter’s encouragement to the believers: “Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
Grace and peace. The two are tied together. Indeed, other New Testament writers commonly extend grace and peace to their readers at the very outset of their epistles, just as Peter did.
We can enjoy peace with God thanks to the grace of God.
And this peace with God enables us to enjoy peace in our hearts — even in this life which is so often full of trials, troubles, and tribulation.
Yet many Christians today aren’t enjoying this peace.
And in many cases, it’s because we’re not focused on the God of peace. We’re not doing what the Lord says we should do in order to receive and remain in His peace.
(Side Note: I believe everyone should stay on top of their emotional, physical, and mental health. And sometimes, there are emotional or mental health considerations or issues — or traumas — that must be properly addressed. But your spiritual health is the foundation to the rest of your health. Take care of your spiritual health by keeping your focus on God and obeying His word while you also attend to your physical, mental, and emotional health).
Here are some Bible verses that tell us exactly what we must do if we want the peace of God in our lives. They are provided in the classic King James Version and are not in any particular order.
Read them. Study them. Meditate on them. And obey them. And then…
You can experience and enjoy the peace of God.
- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
- For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. (Romans 1:16a)
- Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)
- Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)
- I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. (Psalm 85:8)
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
- Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)
- For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:7)
- Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)
- For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (I Corinthians 14:33)
- 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. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
- I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (I Timothy 2:1-2)
- [S]eek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
There are many other verses I could have provided, but the preceding list is a good starting point. As you go over them, be sure to study them. Open up your Bibles. Look at the verses before and after. Get an understanding of the context.
Study the language too. I love the classic KJV, but compare them with other more modern English translations. The English language has changed. For example, the word “careful” (see Philippians 4:6) has a different meaning today than it did in the 1600s and 1700s. A better word today is “anxious.”
You can also take advantage of some great resources (both online and in print) to help you better understand the Greek and Hebrew words behind our English translations of the Bible.
Commentaries are also quite helpful. They aren’t divinely inspired in the same way that the original Scriptures are, but they can still be useful. Just make sure the commentaries you read are authored by qualified, Bible-believing Christians. Your pastor can help with this.
The bottom line: If you want the peace of God, the Bible tells you how to get it and enjoy it.
Do what the Bible says. And you will enjoy the peace that the Bible talks about.
God bless you.
