As the news media was called out for spreading propaganda rather than telling what was happening in an unbiased way in the label of “fake news,” so we might turn on all the way that declare peace but are far from it. In other words what is being sold is “fake peace.” This is nothing new because a look into the words of the prophets in the Old Testament where you will find false prophets who were pushing for peace, talking peace, but the result was no real peace, namely because they stood against the word of God.
Jeremiah 6:14 (ESV) — 14 They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
Ezekiel 13:10 (ESV) — 10 Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash,
Notice there was a slight healing in the people but there was no peace because the false prophets were telling people not to listen to Jeremiah or to Ezekiel so the peace, they were advocating had no connection to God or His word. It was only fake peace that amounted to words only and that peace in the long run hurt the people. It would be like a parent seeking to console a child who was bearing the consequences of a wayward life. They may tell their child that it will be alright, and time will heal all wounds but unless that child comes to grips with the wrong, they had done and repent of their ways, everything will not be alright. There will be no peace no matter how much we say it, think it, or try to manipulate it. The cry peace, peace is far too relevant as we see without God, there is no true peace.
It’s the same today. People are crying for peace. Politicians claim they can make peace. There are times that we fall into the trap that if we think peaceful thoughts, we’ll find peace. All of this is fake peace. True peace comes from God, particularly when we are reconciled with God so that we are no longer at war with Him. Reconciliation by the way is initiated by Him because left to us, we would never submit to being reconciled to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:18–19 (ESV) — 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Consider the fact that God is the offended and all our offenses are against Him. He, however, initiates the reconciliation process by choosing us for salvation, redeeming us through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by calling us through the work of the Spirit of God, Who continues to work in us the work of sanctification, the ultimate indicator of reconciliation.
Ephesians 1:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) — 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 5:1 (ESV) — 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:1–5 (ESV) — 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Titus 3:3–7 (ESV) — 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Peace that begins with God, flows from God, and is found only in God. It’s far from fake peace, as Jesus said regarding His peace is from Him and is given to us, it’s not like the world gives as in fake peace, rather it’s the only cure for a troubled and fearful heart.
John 14:27 (ESV) — 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Consider how this plays out in our fight against fake peace. We find ourselves in a troubling situation. What do we do?
- Rejoice in the Lord.
- Be reasonable because the Lord is at hand. (In other words – don’t let your mind go off in extremes.)
- Instead of being anxious – pray and pray with thanksgiving.
- The promise is far from fake peace – it’s the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Philippians 4:4–7 (ESV) — 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
But there is more as we are admonished to take control of what we are thinking about because it will keep us from fake peace by keeping our focus upon God. To aid in that quest, we take note of what is taught and demonstrated as the way of obedience. In return we enjoy the presence of the God of peace.
Philippians 4:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Now that is real peace found in God.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
