GOD-PEACE
[Peace] is
the very essence of His nature, one of His attributes. God is at all times at
perfect peace, without any discord within Himself. He is never under stress,
worried, anxious, fearful, unsure, or threatened. He is always perfectly calm,
tranquil, and content. There are no surprises for His omniscience, no changes
for His immutability, no threats to His sovereignty, no doubts to cloud His wisdom,
no sin to stain His holiness. Even His wrath is clear, controlled, calm, and
confident.
John
MacArthur
1 and 2 Thessalonians, Moody, 2002, p. 313.
God the
Father is called the “God of peace” (Hebrews 13:20). God the
Son, the “Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6). God the Holy
Ghost, the “Spirit…of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
Thomas Watson
A Puritan Golden Treasury,
compiled by I.D.E. Thomas, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 2000, p. 206.
Peace should
be a hallmark of the godly person, first because it is a Godlike trait: God is
called the God of peace several times in the New Testament. He took the
initiative to establish peace with rebellious men, and He is the author of both
personal peace as well as peace among men. Peace should be part of our
character also because God has promised us His peace, because He has commanded
us to let peace rule in our lives and relationships, and because peace is a fruit
of the Spirit and therefore an evidence of His working in our lives.
Jerry Bridges
The
Practice of Godliness, NavPress, 1996, p. 155-156. Used by permission of
NavPress – www.navpress.com.
All rights reserved.