This month we will remember all those who have died in the two world wars, and all wars and conflicts. We will remember the sacrifice made by many to protect those they love. We give thanks that we live in relative peace and think of all those who don’t. We are challenged too, of how we can bring more peace into the world, not just between nations, but between the people around us, co-workers, neighbours, and family members. In His famous sermon on the mount, Jesus blessed the peacemakers. Not peacekeepers, but peacemakers. The people who put themselves in harms way, not just to prevent fighting, but to bring restoration to relationships.
The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom”, which is rich in meaning. What it actually means is wholeness or completion. The idea being that we can only feel peace when we are whole, and when we have peace then we have been made whole and have all we need. Shalom goes far beyond the abatement of distress and into complete healing from our troubles. Shalom between nations is not a ceasefire, but a restoring of unity between neighbours. Shalom between people is not refraining from ill-tempered words, but a redemption of relationship which leads to genuine care for each other.
Yet Jesus’ peace is something more still. A peace inside, a peace with ourselves, which comes from peace with God. In dying for our mistakes, Jesus fully restored our relationship with God and He is now one with us, evening filling us with His spirit. This is true shalom. And this shalom is a source of peace which is beyond our circumstances. For whatever happens outside of us, we can always know that we are known by God, that we are loved by God, and that God is working good for us. As Jesus said; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”, and as Paul said; “we know that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes”.
Curiously the Hebrew word “Shalom” has deep similarities to the Greek word “Teleios” Despite it meaning something quite different. “Teleios” doesn’t mean peace but rather something akin to “perfect”. Perhaps more correctly, it means perfectly fit for it’s purpose, that is to say, complete. It describes something which is not missing anything that it needs. I think all of us sometimes feel un-useful, or that we don’t have much to offer God, or that we aren’t all that we would like to be. Jesus tells His disciples to be “teleios”, just as God our father is “teleios”. That is to say, that God calls us to be whole, and this comes by knowing God through Jesus, being filled with the holy spirit, and being brought to shalom in Him. And when we know His shalom and are complete in Him, then He transforms us into all He made us to be, and then we are fully fit to be used by Him. For our usefulness comes not from our skills or knowledge, or even our determination, but simply from knowing Him, and knowing His peace.
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