On Peace

Peace, we may safely conclude, was intended, by our Lord, to be the keynote to the Christian ministry.  That same peace which was so continually on the lips of the Master was to be the grand subject of the teaching of His disciples.  Peace between God and man through the precious blood of atonement, peace between man and man through the infusion of grace and charity – to spread such peace as this was to be the work of the church.  Any religion – like that of Mahomet, who made converts with the sword – is not from above but from beneath.  Any form of Christianity which burns men at the stake in order to promote its own success carries about with it the stamp of an apostasy.  That is the truest and best religion which does most to spread real, true peace. – J. C. Ryle (1816-1900).  Comment on John 20.19-23.

 

On Inward Peace

We see, in Peter’s tears, the close connection between unhappiness and departure from God.  It is a merciful arrangement of God that, in one sense, holiness shall always be its own reward.  A heavy heart and an uneasy conscience, a clouded hope and an abundant crop of doubts will always be the consequences of backsliding and inconsistency.  The words of Solomon describe the experience of many an inconsistent child of God: “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways” (Proverbs 14.14).  Let it be a settled principle in our religion that, if we love inward peace, we must walk closely with God. – J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), commenting on Matthew 26.69-75.

 

The Believer’s Peace

Oh, the blessed state of a believer, of one who has embraced the gospel: he is at peace with God!  It is the glory of the Son of God to be the Prince of Peace.  The fruits of the Spirit are joy and peace.  The gospel is the gospel of peace.  The Kingdom of God consists of righteousness and peace.  The evangelical benediction is “grace and peace.”  Peace is an amiable thing; but how lovely, how amiable is peace with God! – Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646)