How to remain in God's peace

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." Romans 16:20

Peace is a powerful weapon against the enemy of our souls! The secret to resisting the work of Satan is learning to remain in a constant state of supernatural peace. This peace that transcends all understanding is found in God - the God of peace. Paul writes,

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7

The question is, "How do I remain in God's peace?"

Christ's example

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, lived in God's peace while on earth. He could rest in the presence of His enemy whilst others lost their peace. For example, Jesus slept in the boat in the storm whilst His disciples panicked. When Jesus was wakened by the disciples, He rebuked the storm from a place of peace (see Mark 4:35-41).

Christ left us an example of how the believer should respond to false accusations and the attacks of the enemy. He writes,

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats." 1 Peter 2:21-23

How did Jesus keep His peace in the face of injustice and the false accusations of His enemies?

"Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:23

Jesus placed His life in the Father's hands. He trusted God in the face of His enemies. He dined with the Father in the presence of His enemies (Psalm 23:5)!

We see then that Jesus remained in God's peace by constantly being conscious of the Father's presence (1 Peter 2:19) and by entrusting His life to the Father.

Paul's example

Writing from prison, the apostle Paul exhorts the Philippians -

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Phil. 4:9

Paul could write with authority because he himself learned to live in peace in the face of persecution and hardship! He knew how to be in constant peace whatever the circumstances. He writes,

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plently or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:11-13

Paul knew the secret of finding peace in every circumstance - trusting in Christ! It was Jesus who gave him the strength to remain in God's peace as Paul fixed his eyes on Christ rather than on reacting to his circumstances. Whether imprisoned with Silas after severe beating or in chains in Rome, Paul remained God-conscious and prayed, praised and worshipped God in every circumstance (see Acts 16:24,25!).

Consequently, Paul, speaking form experience, encourages the Philippians to do the same! He writes,

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:4-7

Very practically, Paul then continues to show the Church how to keep her peace:

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Phil. 4:8

Paul was able to remain in a constant state of peace in all that he went through by remaining God-conscious and by keeping his mind on "things above" (Col. 3:2).

Finally, Paul could remain in God's peace as he not only trusted in God but also trusted in God's faithfulness. He writes,

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19

Paul's confidence and peace lay in his faith in what God was able to do and what God would do!

Remain in God's peace

In summary then we see that in order to remain in God's peace, we need to:

1. remain God-conscious
2. trust God
3. think on things above
4. trust in God's faithfulness

I want to encourage you today to "seek peace and pursue it" (Ps 34:14). No matter what you are going through right now, you can experience God's supernatural peace. Resist the enemy and rest in God. 

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Are you a leader?

Divine leadership

"Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16

God leads by example. Those who are called to leadership are called to lead by example. Just before the Lord Jesus went to the cross, he washed the disciples feet to teach His followers to lead by example just as He did. Jesus said to His disciples,

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15

Paul's leadership

The apostle Paul understood true leadership and wrote to the Corinthian church,

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

King David's leadership

King David also led by example. In the preparation for the building of the Temple, we read,

"And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction." 1 Chron. 29:3

Subsequently, King David asks,

"Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?" 1 Chron. 29:5

The first to respond were the leaders of Israel because King David modelled true leadership! We read,

"Then the family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals and captains of the army, and the king's administrative officers all gave willingly." 1 Chron. 29:6

In response to the generosity of their leaders,

"The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy." 1 Chron. 29:9

Leadership in secret and in public

God calls leaders to lead by example both in secret and in public. What we are in secret is what we truly are in public.

The apostle Paul and his companions led by example to encourage the church to be like them.

He writes,

"You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord...And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." 1 Thess. 1:5-7

"You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of Gd, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." 1 Thess. 2:10-12

Leadership means modelling a devoted life to Christ and His people.

A devoted life lives for God in secret and in public. The power for leadership comes from the integrity of devotion in secret and in public. A form of godliness, an external, public appearance of leadership will never influence and produce true followers of Christ.

Imitate Christ in the secret place

I am convinced that leadership begins in the secret place as the leader seeks the face of God to imitate Him (Eph. 3:24; 5:1). Those who try to lead in public without following Christ in secret will lead from themselves and not from Christ. They will lead to please man rather than to please Christ. Paul, however says,

"If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal. 1:10

Leaders, imitate Christ and lead by example, in secret and in public!

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Cor. 11:1

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