237. Peace and Love
Ephesians 6:23 Peacebe to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace and love is commended for the brothers in Ephesus; Paul blesses them with peace and love. The blessing is based on the promises of God, and it becomes a promise fulfilled in the life of the church in Ephesus. The Father and Jesus grant peace and love with faith. The prayer and wish part of the blessing is that they might realize and activate the peace and love that has already been given. Few of us ever actually walk in or enjoy the promises of God all the time.
Sin, Death and Satan rob us of peace and love as much as they can. We stand against the Enemy in the armor of God. As the enemies are defeated in actual practice peace and love begin to assert ascendancy and rule in our hearts and minds. The benedictory farewell is really an assertion that peace and love is what you already have; now enjoy it in your soul and let it be made real and alive.
Peace is a powerful force, although it doesn’t feel like force; it is a gentle breeze if anything. Peace guards the heart and rules the soul. Since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God. That kind of peace, the peace of God, gently pushes away the negative emotions like guilt and anger and sadness, etc. Peace rules in place of strife and stress. Everyone desires peace in the inward parts. This is why the common greeting among the Jews and Arabs is “Shalom, or Salaam,” meaning, of course, peace. This is a good meeting and leaving greeting. In the New Testament the peace greeting does not mean, “I hope you get peace,” but it means, “Enjoy the peace you have already been blessed with.” God activate it, or, God bless you.
Love with faith is the only kind of true love there is. God grants it and faith receives it. Love without faith can be fleshly, selfish, and exists when an emotion is present that makes me feel good. God is the source. The only real love is the love that comes from God; it is total, unconditional, self-giving, serving, and meeting the emotional needs of the other person. When God’s love flows through us it has the power to change the conditions and the atmosphere of the room. Love is the greatest force in the universe, and again, it doesn’t feel like force. Man cannot give love until he has received it by faith. May God grant the faith to actualize peace and love.