Love and Politics

Published: Jan. 20, 2021, midnight

b'What is peace? Is it something to do with Christmas? Is it the end of a war or the lack of fighting? Is it having no worries? Is it the world being happy and working together? Is it an absence of noise and distractions?\\nAll of those things could be defined as peace, because there are different kinds of peace.\\nPeace, at its simplest, is being at rest. The first and most important kind of peace is being at rest with God. We are all sinners and are therefore enemies of God, who is perfectly sinless (Romans 3:23; 5:10). We gain \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153peace with God\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d by putting our trust in Jesus\\u2019 death and resurrection to have our sins forgiven (Romans 5:1). If you are a Christian, you have this peace with God.\\nUsually, when we think of peace, we think of having peace in our circumstances\\u2014an absence of stress, worry, and conflict. And the Bible says we should seek that kind of peace in our lives, interactions, and relationships (Romans 12:18; 2 Timothy 2:1-4).\\nBut there is also peace despite our circumstances. A kind of peace we can have even in an exam, a disaster, a heartbreak. This peace comes from knowing Jesus is with us (Matthew 28:20). No matter what good or bad the day might bring, Jesus promises to be with us. Peace is resting in Jesus, trusting Him to work His good kingdom purposes through all the struggles we face (Romans 8:28-39).\\nPeace from God isn\\u2019t like anything the world can give\\u2014it\\u2019s not having a conflict- and trouble-free life, because the reality is, we will have struggles in this broken world (John 14:27). But, as Christians, we have peace no matter what we face because we belong to Jesus, who is with us now, who is at work in even the hardest of circumstances, and who will one day completely destroy sin and its effects, including suffering and death (Revelation 21:1-5). \\u2022 Abby Ciona\\n\\u2022 When do you feel \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153at peace\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d? Why?\\n\\u2022 What is your next step in peace? Is it trusting Jesus in order to be at peace with God? (If so, check out our \\u201cKnow Jesus\\u201d page to learn more.) Is it seeking peace with others? Is it finding peace in knowing God is with you?\\nPeace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don\\u2019t let your heart be troubled or fearful. John 14:27 (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nEphesians 2:14-22; 4:1-6; Matthew 22:37-40'