Man has long desired peace, yet found it elusive due to a lack of understanding on how to attain it. In earlier times, peace signified material prosperity or physical safety, but for the New Testament church, it encompasses spiritual well-being, completeness, and stability of mind. True peace is not just the absence of conflict, but a proactive, heartfelt yielding to God and goodwill toward all. God has called His saints to peace, expecting them to keep His commandments, in return granting peace of mind. When a man's ways please the Lord, He ensures even his enemies are at peace with him. Peace, as a gift from God through Jesus Christ, comes through the suffering and sacrifice of Christ, opening the way for reconciliation between man and God, and among men. Healing and forgiveness of sin bring great peace to mind and body, while wisdom fosters unity and peace. God's peace, given to those with a pure heart and mind, remains a deep, spiritual tranquility unaffected by worldly strife. This peace is accessible to those who trust in God's redemptive plan, strive to reflect His character, and obey His Word. Righteousness and peace are intertwined, with righteousness producing peace through quietness and assurance, while peace creates an environment for righteousness to flourish. Achieving peace requires real effort; though a gift from God through Christ, it must be actively sought and pursued with conscious effort to overcome discord, while seeking God's grant of it. Ultimately, Jesus Christ will bring lasting peace to all mankind.

Peace, as portrayed in the essence of a secure refuge amidst adversity, mirrors the tranquility of a mother bird shielding her hatchlings under stormy skies. This portable peace reflects a singular, undivided trust in the face of unstable conditions. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, exemplified this serenity by sleeping unperturbed in a boat during a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee. Similarly, Peter displayed profound peace, sleeping deeply on the eve of his execution, trusting in God's purpose. The book of James serves as a guide to achieving peace through single-minded trust in God's sovereignty, contrasting it with the disharmony of double-mindedness. Double-mindedness, marked by clashing thoughts and desires, destroys peace and tranquility, leading to internal strife. In contrast, harmony with God's Spirit fosters peace, akin to musical instruments resonating in concord when tuned to the same frequency. Jesus pronounced a blessing on peacemakers, affirming their role as sons of God. Submitting to God's direction brings peace of mind, encouraging us to live peaceably with all, despite the challenges of modern environments that often breed stress and discord. Seeking peace requires effort, sometimes retreating to solitary places for renewal, as Jesus often did by rising early to pray in secluded spots. Our lives should be oases of God's Spirit, offering peace and tranquility to others, especially in environments lacking these qualities. Like the mother bird providing portable peace, we must extend comfort to all we encounter, embodying the rest and peace promised by Jesus to those who are heavy laden, ensuring that the peace of God guards our hearts and minds.

In a world of constant change and frequent hostility, we as Christians are called to be different, embodying peace in our interactions. The apostle Paul urges us to live peaceably with all men, as much as it depends on us (Romans 12:18). Contention breeds disunity, and sin cannot produce godly peace or harmony. Paul implores us to value our calling and relationship with God, ensuring our conduct toward brethren avoids strife and fosters unity. We often struggle to resist the frantic, stressed nature of society, desiring quick resolutions to conflicts. Yet, Paul advises forbearance in love, patiently enduring contention while humbly and righteously engaging others. Humility, the opposite of pride, soothes and unifies, while a meek, gentle manner cultivates peace. God counsels that a soft answer turns away wrath, whereas harsh words stir anger (Proverbs 15:1). Paul further instructs us to pursue things that make for peace and edify one another (Romans 14:19). David echoes this in Psalm 34:14, urging us to depart from evil, do good, and actively seek and pursue peace. Christians should focus on agreement over major matters, demonstrating love despite minor disputes. Paul exhorts us to be longsuffering and encouraging, mirroring God's patience and consolation (Romans 15:5). James describes godly wisdom as pure, peaceable, gentle, and willing to yield, bearing the fruit of righteousness sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17-18). Without a peaceful spirit, even pure doctrinal understanding falters in our walk with Christ, for He declares, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). God desires to remove contention from His children, preparing them for the Kingdom where peace reigns. The author of Hebrews emphasizes making every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy, for without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Imitating Christ's peacemaking example and following His guidance to light the way of peace (Luke 1:79) would bring more harmony and fewer disputes among brethren.