The word shalom is the Hebrew word that we translate as peace, and it appears in the Tanach (OT) 236 times. The Greek counterpart to shalom, eirene, appears another 92 times in the Apostolic Writings (NT). Combined we see the word peace or a related concept 328 times in the bible. With that great city known as Jerusalem carrying the meaning of “teaching of peace,” or with Isaiah using the name “Prince of Peace,” and Paul using the descriptive phrase “Lord of Peace,” we must conclude that peace is an important topic to God.
What exactly is peace? Some dictionaries define it as being free from dispute, or lacking stress, disturbance, anxiety, or agitation. It is, seemingly, a lack of chaos; a place of tranquility. There are some who believe that shalom means, “to destroy the authority of chaos,” however, there does not seem to be adequate linguistic evidence to support that concept.
Paul writes about the various fruits of the Spirit, they are: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control1. More than just fruits of the Spirit, these descriptions also appear as character traits of God. Thus peace is not just important to God, it is one of many things that help to define who and what God is.
As members of the family of God, it is important that we take on those attributes and extend them to those around us, this is expected. When people see us, they should see God in our actions. When they hear us they should hear Him in our words2. Not that we become God, rather, we reflect God’s character attributes to an increasingly dark world around us. Consider how the sun illuminates the moon which in turn reflects that light to Earth when it is dark. In essence, that is what we should be like as we reflect all that God is to those around us.
I would argue that we have to be at peace with God, ourselves and our brothers and sisters in the faith, or we cannot be effective in what we are called to do. We cannot be effective if our lives are full of chaos and stress. Yeshua once said, “Blessed are the peacemakers3,” which means there is an expectation that at least some are called to bring shalom to places of chaos. Consider the weight on the following action and the result if accomplished:
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
If a brother has something against you, there is no peace. If there is need of reconciliation, there is no peace. When you have an adversary, you aren’t in perfect peace. But if we left the gift, made it right with him, we have made peace. Remember, Yeshua said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” I don’t believe I am adding to Scripture in saying that we are blessed when we bring calm to chaos, or when we work to alleviate a stressful situation or dispute as that seems to be within the definition of peacemaking. Working to unite God’s people, extending the mercy He extended to us, that isn’t compromise, it is what God expects of us. Being of one mind and one accord doesn’t mean we all look, think and act alike. It means that despite our differences, we must work together to the glory of God, His namesake, and the coming Kingdom. And without peace, we cannot accomplish this.
Today we stand at a time in history where the world is almost running from God. Even within the church, attendance is dropping, people are falling away. Our lack of peace when touching a holy thing is one of the many reasons why this is. We must have inner peace when touching anything holy, and being part of the family of God means that we are holy and are among the holy. It’s clear, to me, that we must seek peace, acquire peace, and live at peace. The alternative is outside of God’s will and His character.
We were reading through Matthew yesterday, and we were struck by Jesus’ promise for being a peacemaker: ‘For they shall be called sons of God”.
To become, and be, a peacemaker, will engender coming into and being a part of God’s family.