Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is Romans 15:33

Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

The apostle identifies one of the most compelling attributes of God in our text today.  He is the "God of peace." In verse 13 of this chapter, He is identified by another attribute; He is the God of hope. "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 Of all the attributes of God, peace and hope provide us the spiritual context that eliminates worldly stress from the lives of true believers. Because we have the love of God in our hearts we find hope rather than despair and peace rather than anxiety. World leaders often reference peace and hope in their proclamations and political speeches but the emptiness of their words is exposed as we see the world devolve deeper and deeper into despair and hopelessness. This condition will continue as long as the world seeks peace apart from the God of peace. There can be no lasting peace without God as the center of our relationships with one another. Anything less than a God-centered peace is a counterfeit that will produce no good thing. "Whatever does not lead you to love God and man more, is most assuredly from beneath. The God of peace is the author of Christianity; and the Prince of peace, the priest and sacrifice of it: therefore love one another, and leave off contention before it be meddled with." Adam Clarke

God is the creator and the giver of peace. Consequently, lasting peace can be found in no other source. The world can only offer temporary respites between conflicts. They call those respites peace but they are not peace; they are simply the preparation time for the next conflict.  

Those who are born of God have the attributes of God within themselves. These attributes are not something that we strive to create, they simply reflect who we actually are because of the indwelling presence of Christ. As we seek to honor the God of peace and love the Prince of peace, the very presence of His peace will be our portion. Peace becomes a measure of "success," for success in God is based upon what He provides, not on what we accomplish. He has promised to be with us and by faith we hold to His promise of peace.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

 Tim