Peace of Heart

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 5:1 & 8:6)

Peace can be defined as the normal, non warring condition of a nation, group of nations or world. It can also be defined as an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations or groups to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting.

The root of war and the start of peace can be traced to an certain location, to the state of mutual harmony between people or groups in their relations. If there is a lack of mutual harmony there is war. If mutual harmony is free flowing then there is peace. Peace can even be defined more specifically as a state of tranquillity, serenity, and placidity of your heart. This is where peace or war is derived from; the heart. The peace Jesus brings is peace to your heart. The peace Jesus supplies puts an end to the war and disaster in your heart. The peace Jesus speaks of is the peace of heart. When our heart is not at peace we cannot see clearly, we view others as objects with no feelings or emotions. When our heart is at war we only accept our own viewpoint and deny others the chance to speak. When at war we view others as irrelevant, but when we are at peace others are people with hopes, needs, cares, and fears all as real as my own.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Peace and war both start at the heart of a person. Today we see relationships between America and the Middle East, Israel and Palestine, they both consist of war, war that kills people that takes lives. They also consist of the people fighting the war within their own hearts. Their war at heart causes them to view their enemies as objects as irrelevant which leads them to more easily kill another human being. We are called to peace. We are to let Christ's peace rule in our hearts. So if a heart at war only causes disaster and pain, why do we not seek peace and love in Jesus Christ? The relationship between nations and groups of people no matter what religion or background, the relationship was made to be peaceful. Our hearts were made for peace.