Peace: A Soldier's Thoughts
So you might wonder why this old Soldier is writing about peace. Something (or Someone) spurred me to do a word and topical search on the subject this Christmas season. In case you don’t know me, I’m an Army veteran with a few years of service and several military schools under my belt, to include graduating from the US Army War College. Rather than teach one the art of war (that occurs in other military schools), the purpose of the War College is to teach its residents how to obtain, sustain, and preserve peace through strategy. The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute states “The secret to war is to have a heart of peace.”
Definitions of peace in Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary includes: 1) the absence of war or hostility, free from strife; 2) free from quarrels and disagreements; 3) well-being, inner-contentment, serenity, and tranquility. Having been deployed to a Combat Zone (Iraq), I can relate to what a peace status means between warring Nations. But I believe that a state of peace depends on having good relationships, whether between Nations, neighbors, or family members. And there is that spiritual plain where natural man, who is at enmity with God, needs reconciliation to have a new relationship with God; one of peace.
I looked at over 250 Biblical references on peace in Strong’s Concordance . The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, which can transliterally mean prosperity in Proverbs and Psalms. Much of the Old Testament dealt with Israel’s warring against enemies in the time of judges and kings. But in Isaiah the groundwork is laid for the coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Messiah. In Isa. 9:6-7 “And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This is also quoted in Luke 2 with the story of Jesus’ birth.
So what does “Prince of Peace” really mean? Is it just the inspiration for a Christmas carol? There are a plethora of references in the New Testament to the peace of God, His peace in us, and Jesus’ peace relating to others. In John 14:27, Jesus says “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” Acts 10:36 relates that the good news of peace is through Jesus Christ, brought about through His blood on the Cross – His redemptive sacrifice – that provides reconciliation with God the Father. It’s a restoration of the peace lost in Eden. Christ’s redemptive work achieves God’s peace, inner rest and well-being for our soul, and life abundant now with fellowship with God (John 10:10). A fruit of the Spirit includes peace (Gal. 5:22).
A final thought. In Matt. 10:34, Jesus states: “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” And in Luke 12:51, Jesus says “Do you think I brought peace to earth? No, I brought division.” So how do we reconcile these verses? If we read the context of surrounding verses, other scriptures, and in light of Revelations, His prophetic words point to God’s opposition to Satan in the end times. Rom. 16:20 tells us that “the God of peace will crush Satan underfoot.” (see Gen 3:15)
Leaving my thoughts about peace on a positive note, I love these final scriptures, admonitions to live in peace. Matt. 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Rom. 5:1 - “being justified through faith, we have peace with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Thes. 5:13 – “live in peace with each other.” II Thes. 3:16 – “may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” James 3:18 – “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” Eph. 2:14 – “He himself (Jesus) is our peace.” Phil. 4:7 – “The peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds.” Col. 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts; you were called to peace.”
Peace in our hearts should be reflected on our face, spoken of on our lips with the message of the good news, and demonstrated by our actions and behavior. Now, go in peace. Hooah!