The two words 'God' and 'peace' appear together, at least in the NIV translation, 43 times in the Bible. You can't have the latter without the former. I know. I've tried.
One of my very favorite passages in the Bible, and the inspiration for this blog in fact, is the following:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. -- Philippians 4:8-9
I highlighted three key parts of those verses because they are related. When we are dialed into the Holy Spirit we begin to have the right heart and the right mindset. With our hearts and minds right, we need to start putting the wisdom we receive from the Spirit into practice. The result is not only the God of peace is with us but that the peace we have will be tangible. People will know we are different, even if they aren't really sure why. Folks will be curious about what we know and, since we're putting our wisdom into practice, we will be ready to share it with them!
The one thing that this passage doesn't specifically name but that I believe is inherent in all of the adjectives listed is forgiveness. We believe in Jesus so we live forgiven, but we have to forgive others so that we may live.
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