LIVE IN PEACE
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11
Key Verse: “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” — 2 Corinthians 13:11
Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:1-3; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:12-15; Hebrews 12:14; James 3:17-18; Psalm 34:14; Isaiah 26:3
Description: Living in peace means maintaining peace with God, cultivating peace within your heart, pursuing peaceful relationships with others, and becoming an instrument of reconciliation in a troubled world.
INTRODUCTION
As Paul concluded his second letter to the Corinthians, he gave them a powerful instruction: “Live in peace.” This command came after he had addressed divisions, spiritual weaknesses, conflicts, discipline, and the need for restoration. Paul knew that a healthy church could not be built where strife, bitterness, resentment, and unresolved conflict were allowed to dominate.
Peace is more than the absence of trouble. Biblical peace involves wholeness, reconciliation, harmony, stability, and a right relationship with God and others. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and those who belong to Him are called to reflect His character in their families, churches, workplaces, and communities.
Living in peace does not mean avoiding every difficult conversation or compromising biblical truth. There are times when believers must confront wrongdoing, establish boundaries, defend truth, or separate from destructive behaviour. Nevertheless, the believer's heart must remain free from hatred and revenge. We are called to pursue peace as far as it depends upon us and to allow the peace of Christ to govern our hearts.
1. MAKE PEACE WITH GOD YOUR FOUNDATION
True peace begins with reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.
a. We Have Peace Through Christ (Romans 5:1) — Having been justified by faith, believers have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
b. Christ Is Our Peace (Ephesians 2:14) — Jesus broke down the wall of separation and made reconciliation with God possible.
c. Receive God's Peace By Faith (John 14:27) — Jesus gives a peace that is different from the temporary peace offered by the world.
d. Walk In Fellowship With God (1 John 1:7) — Walking in the light maintains fellowship with God and produces a life of spiritual integrity.
Biblical Example: When Jacob encountered God on his return to Canaan, his relationship with God was renewed and he was prepared to face reconciliation with Esau (Genesis 32:24-30; 33:1-4).
2. LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE YOUR HEART
Peace must first become an inward reality before it can consistently influence our relationships.
a. Keep Your Mind On God (Isaiah 26:3) — God keeps those whose minds remain fixed on Him in perfect peace because they trust Him.
b. Refuse Anxiety Through Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7) — Prayer, thanksgiving, and dependence upon God protect the heart and mind with divine peace.
c. Trust God's Sovereignty (Psalm 46:10) — Knowing that God remains in control helps believers remain calm when circumstances are uncertain.
d. Guard Your Heart From Bitterness (Hebrews 12:15) — Bitterness can disturb inner peace and eventually affect many people around us.
Biblical Example: Jesus slept in the boat during a violent storm because His confidence rested in God rather than in the surrounding circumstances (Mark 4:35-41).
3. PURSUE PEACE WITH OTHER PEOPLE
Peace is not merely something we receive; it is something we must deliberately pursue.
a. Live Peaceably With All (Romans 12:18) — Believers should do everything within their responsibility to maintain peaceful relationships.
b. Follow The Things That Make For Peace (Romans 14:19) — We should pursue actions that build up others instead of creating unnecessary conflict.
c. Be A Peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) — Jesus calls peacemakers blessed because they reflect the character of God.
d. Seek Reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24) — When relationships are damaged, believers should take practical steps towards reconciliation.
Biblical Example: Abraham chose peace when conflict developed between his herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen. He gave Lot the opportunity to choose his portion of the land rather than allowing the disagreement to destroy their relationship (Genesis 13:5-12).
4. CONTROL YOUR WORDS
Many conflicts begin or grow because of careless and destructive speech.
a. Be Slow To Speak (James 1:19) — Listening carefully and speaking cautiously can prevent unnecessary arguments.
b. Speak Words That Build (Ephesians 4:29) — Our words should edify others and minister grace to those who hear us.
c. Avoid A Soft Answer That Escalates Conflict (Proverbs 15:1) — A gentle response can turn away wrath, while harsh words can intensify anger.
d. Refuse Gossip And Slander (Proverbs 16:28) — Destructive speech can separate close friends and damage relationships.
Biblical Example: Abigail used wise and peaceful words to prevent David from committing an act of revenge against Nabal's household (1 Samuel 25:23-35).
5. FORGIVE AND RELEASE OFFENCES
Peace becomes difficult when the heart continually holds on to past offences.
a. Forgive As Christ Forgave You (Colossians 3:13) — Believers are called to extend the forgiveness they have received from Christ.
b. Do Not Repay Evil For Evil (Romans 12:17) — Christians must refuse personal retaliation.
c. Leave Vengeance To God (Romans 12:19) — God is the righteous Judge, so believers can release personal vengeance into His hands.
d. Overcome Evil With Good (Romans 12:20-21) — Goodness and love prevent another person's wrongdoing from controlling our character.
Biblical Example: Joseph chose forgiveness instead of revenge when his brothers feared that he would retaliate against them after their father's death (Genesis 50:15-21).
6. LEARN TO HANDLE CONFLICT BIBLICALLY
Living in peace does not mean pretending that conflict does not exist. It means handling conflict according to God's wisdom.
a. Address Offences Directly (Matthew 18:15) — Jesus taught believers to speak privately with someone who has offended them.
b. Seek Understanding (Proverbs 18:13) — Answering before hearing a matter can lead to shame and misunderstanding.
c. Practise Humility (Philippians 2:3-4) — Humility helps us consider the interests and perspectives of others.
d. Pursue Reconciliation Where Possible (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) — Believers have received the ministry of reconciliation and should promote restored relationships.
Biblical Example: The apostles and elders addressed the disagreement concerning circumcision through discussion, Scripture, prayer, and Spirit-guided counsel rather than allowing the disagreement to permanently divide the church (Acts 15:1-29).
7. BECOME AN INSTRUMENT OF PEACE
God wants His people to carry peace into places where there is conflict and confusion.
a. Bring Peace Into Your Family (Colossians 3:13-15) — Forgiveness, love, and the peace of Christ should govern family relationships.
b. Bring Peace Into The Church (Ephesians 4:3) — Believers must endeavour to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
c. Bring Peace Into Your Community (Matthew 5:16) — Our good works should cause others to glorify God and encounter His character through us.
d. Encourage Others To Reconcile (2 Corinthians 5:20) — Christians are ambassadors for Christ, carrying God's message of reconciliation.
Biblical Example: Barnabas was known as an encourager and became a source of acceptance and fellowship for believers who needed support (Acts 9:26-27; 11:22-26).
8. TRUST GOD WHEN PEACE IS CHALLENGED
There will be situations where we cannot control another person's behaviour. We must learn to remain peaceful while trusting God.
a. Commit Your Way To The Lord (Psalm 37:5) — Entrusting our circumstances to God prevents anxiety from controlling us.
b. Do Not Be Overcome By Evil (Romans 12:21) — Believers must maintain godly character even when others behave wrongly.
c. Let God Fight Your Battles (2 Chronicles 20:15) — Some battles are beyond human ability, but God remains able to intervene.
d. Keep Your Eyes On Christ (Hebrews 12:2) — Focusing on Jesus gives believers strength to endure difficult circumstances without losing their peace.
Biblical Example: Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God while imprisoned at Philippi. Their circumstances were painful, but their hearts remained anchored in God (Acts 16:22-26).
CONCLUSION
To live in peace is to allow the peace of God to govern our hearts, relationships, decisions, and responses. Peace begins with reconciliation with God through Christ and grows as we trust Him, control our words, forgive offences, handle conflict wisely, and pursue peaceful relationships. We cannot control every circumstance or every person's behaviour, but we can choose how we respond.
Paul's instruction to the Corinthians remains relevant to the church today: “Live in peace.” Let us reject bitterness, revenge, gossip, strife, and unnecessary division. Let us become peacemakers who bring reconciliation wherever we go. As we walk in unity and peace, the God of love and peace will be with us, and our lives will become witnesses to the transforming power of Christ.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, thank You for the peace I have through Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, let Your peace rule my heart, mind, emotions, and decisions every day, in Jesus name.
3. Father, deliver me from anxiety, fear, bitterness, anger, and every disturbance of the heart, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, give me grace to live peaceably with everyone as far as it depends upon me, in Jesus name.
5. Father, put a guard over my mouth and help me to speak words that promote peace and healing, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, give me grace to forgive every offence and release every desire for revenge, in Jesus name.
7. Father, give me wisdom to handle conflicts peacefully and pursue reconciliation where possible, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, restore peace in every troubled relationship in my family, church, ministry, and community according to Your will, in Jesus name.
9. Father, make me an instrument of peace, reconciliation, encouragement, and healing to everyone around me, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, let the God of love and peace continually abide with me and establish every area of my life, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. The peace of God shall rule your heart and mind in every season.
2. Every storm troubling your life shall receive divine intervention and come under the authority of Christ.
3. You shall not be controlled by fear, anxiety, anger, bitterness, or confusion.
4. The Lord shall give you wisdom to handle difficult relationships and challenging situations peacefully.
5. Every relationship ordained by God for your life shall receive grace for peace, understanding, forgiveness, and unity.
6. You shall become a peacemaker and an instrument of reconciliation wherever you go.
7. The Lord shall deliver you from unnecessary conflicts, strife, division, and contention.
8. Your family shall experience the peace of Christ, and your home shall become a place of love and unity.
9. The God of love and peace shall fight your battles and give you victory over every troubling circumstance.
10. You shall live in peace, walk in peace, speak peace, and carry the presence of the God of love and peace wherever you go, in Jesus name.
