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A story tells of artists who were asked to paint a picture of what they considered “peace.” One painted a picture of a lake in the mountains, while another painted a picture of a raging waterfall, with a bird almost in the spray serenely enjoying its nest. This illustration has been used as an example of Biblical peace. However, while our peace here on earth will be found in the midst of obstacles, there is an even higher form of peace that Christians will find when with Christ, that peace is a restoration of the sinless closeness to God that man enjoyed before the fall. Genesis 2:8 presents a beautiful picture of this peace: “And the LORD God planted a garden…”

Each part of a perfect garden both gives nourishment to other parts and receives it  from them. No part tries to break down the system; instead, each one works for the building up of the whole. This is the way it will be in heaven, and, to an extent, we can have it here also, in the church. “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” (Romans 15:2)

The story of mankind begins and ends with peace. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4) While the theory of evolution, for example, begins with struggle and ends with destruction, God’s true plan for humanity begins and ends with peace.

In the fall, found in Genesis 3, man lost his peace. He lost the close fellowship with God that he had once held, and the satisfaction and rest that came from that close relationship.

Because of Calvary, man can once again have a relationship with God, and so find peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) “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) “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:36-38)

We will have peace for ever with Christ after time has passed away. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:18-20)

In the New Jerusalem we will all be in complete fellowship with God and completely at peace. Our peace will never again be lost. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

While much of the peace described in the New Testament is peace in our own hearts, the Bible abundantly shows the great importance of working toward peace with our fellow men, especially in the church and home. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) We would like to be righteous, and James clearly ties righteousness to peacemaking: “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:18)

We tend to enjoy peace—when someone else makes it. We tend to be happy when, in a disagreement, someone else makes peace by giving in. We want someone else to be the peacemaker. Even when the dispute is about matters of conscience, we should be able to find peace between true Christians. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-11) We may be unable to find unity because our pride will not let us admit that the other person may be right, and so be willing to look at the issue again. If we are unwilling to let the other person present their Biblical evidence, they probably won’t listen to ours. “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Romans 12:16) We will probably not be able to bring reconciliation in all instances, but if we are unwilling to try to be peaceful, we are not fulfilling God’s call. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)