ATTITUDES FOR GODLY DEVELOPMENT: “PEACE”

• Biblical peace—shalom: Commonly translated as “peace” and used as both a greeting and a farewell, shalom carries a rich meaning in Hebrew.
• This kind of peace is not the of trouble or pain; it is the quiet that God is near—that He sees us and has not let go.
• John 16:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
• The world offers distraction—Jesus offers .
• The world offers temporary relief—Jesus offers anchored .

Peace is not something we feel–It’s something that shows in how we live.

• When we surrender our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells and then produces fruit in us: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  Galatians 5:22–23
• Acts 4:36–37 36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
• Barnabas is introduced as the Son of Encouragement. Encouragement flowed from him because “peace” lived within him.
• “Peace” loosens our grip because we trust God is holding us.
• Matthew 11:28–29 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

• • “Rest” in this passage isn’t exactly the same definition as “peace,” however, they’re closely related.
  • Rest (anapausis)→ relief from burden, deep refreshment
  • Peace (eirēnē)→ inner calm, harmony, settledness
  • You could say: Rest leads to peace – or rest includes a kind of peace

• Jesus led with gentleness – His peace didn’t intimidate—it invited.
• His peace encouraged the broken
• His peace restored the fallen
• His peace spoke hope before people ever changed.
• Acts 9:26–28 26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
• What this shows us is that peace chooses trust over suspicion.
• Application:  “Peace” doesn’t erase wisdom, but it refuses to be ruled by fear.
• When Barnabas saw revival in Antioch, he rejoiced. He didn’t compete—he celebrated. He even brought Saul into the spotlight (Acts 11:22–26).

• John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift— “peace” of mind and heart. And the “peace” I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
• Notice: Jesus doesn’t promise an easier path; He promises His .
• Then Jesus adds, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
• That is not a command to suppress emotion—it is an to rest in Him. Peace Rejoices in God’s Work, Not Personal Control.

• Acts 15:36–41
• “Peace” valued redemption over efficiency and his personal feelings.
• John 21 – Jesus restoring Peter
• Jesus restored Peter after denial—not privately hiding him but publicly recommissioning him: “Feed My sheep.”
• On the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.” That is peace under pressure.
• What we should see clearly in these passages of scripture is that Peace Seeks Restoration, Even When It’s Costly.
• Peace isn’t pretending hurt didn’t happen—it’s choosing forgiveness anyway.
• Peace leaves a legacy of faithful people.

The sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark seemed like a broken relationship at the time—but that wasn’t the end of the story.

• Colossians 4:10 “Mark, Barnabas’s cousin… If he comes to you, welcome him.”
• 2 Timothy 4:11 “Bring Mark with you… for he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
• Peace leaves a legacy by shaping people who remain .
• That’s what peace does—it focuses on people, not just outcomes, and leaves behind a legacy of transformed, faithful lives.

A clear pattern:

• Peace encourages
• Peace trusts
• Peace celebrates
• Peace restores
• Peace invests in people

• Barnabas was not the source of that peace – He was simply a – Jesus is the source.
• It was that same peace that steadied Jesus as He faced the cross.

“The peace Jesus gives us is not a promise to remove the pain and stress of daily living. Those troubles are inevitable, and they will not be removed from us until the Lord comes again. The peace He offers is a calm, unafraid, unruffled confidence that, having placed our lives in His hands, all is well. Nothing can harm our innermost being. Nothing can shake us from the intimate connection we’ve established with the Lord of the universe through our saving faith in Him. It’s a peace we have despite external circumstances – a peace that cannot be destroyed. Dr. David Jeremiah

• Hebrews 13:20–21 “Now may the God of peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.”

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

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