Lesson 14 Prince Of Peace

     Isaiah 9:6 (Amplified) says, "He is to be called the Prince of Peace."
     In order to walk in peace, you must receive Jesus as your peace.  Many have received Jesus, but have not received His peace.  We still try walking under Law and have a difficult time walking in peace.  We allow our flesh to keep us under condemnation and therefore we haven't received complete peace.
     Romans 14:10 (Amplified) tells us that, "Love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law."  John 3:16 (Amplified) says that it was God's love that sent Jesus so we could go free from sin and condemnation.  In Matthew 5:17-19 (Amplified) Jesus said that "He came to fulfill the Law."  In Luke 2:21-23 (Amplified) we read that, "The first Blood Jesus shed on our behalf was the Blood of circumcision for the Law."
     For there ever be peace between God and man, it would have to be perfect love on both parts.  God loved enough to become man and the man, Christ Jesus, loved God enough to yield to Him even to the death of the cross.
     Now, this Love has fulfilled the Law and brought us into a covenant of grace by total forgiveness on our behalf.   Peace can now reign between us and our Father because of His Love.  This Love has been given to us by His presence in us by the Holy Spirit according to Romans 5:5 (Amplified).
      1 John 4:9 (Amplified) says this is why, "In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we were concerned; in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique (Son) into the world, so that we might live through Him."  Now, because Love has fulfilled the Law and the penalty of the Law, we who live in this Love no longer have any fear of penalty.  1 John 4:18 (Amplified) says, "There is no fear in Love (dread does not exist) but full grown (complete, perfect) Love turns fear out of doors, and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment. And (so) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of Love (is not yet grown into Love's complete perfection)."
     We struggle with the fact that we can walk in life today without fear of sin, punishment and separation.  This kind of God's Own Love now abides in us by the Holy Spirit Who actually is Love Itself.  When Paul said in Romans 8:14 (Amplified) "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God," he was literally saying what John said in 1 John 4:18 (Amplified) that, "He who is afraid has not reached full maturity and hasn't grown up to perfection."
     We've always believed that reaching perfection meant that we never make mistakes or sin.  What Paul and John both said is that perfection is understanding that Love never fails. And, they said that those who are led by the Spirit understand that this Love is in us by the presence of the Holy Spirit or this Spirit of God's Love.
     This Spirit of God's Love will never condemn you, but will always encourage you to walk in peace because of Jesus.  The Holy Spirit will always edify, comfort and encourage us to press on.  It would be impossible to ever walk in peace with God without the Love that paid the penalty and set us free from the Law of sin and death.
     The only way to understand what the Lord said when He called Jesus the Prince of Peace is to accept the fact that it's all paid for now.  You can never encounter this kind of Love outside of Jesus.  We've never seen is displayed in the lives of men, even Christians for the most part.  Jesus said in John 17:23 (Amplified), "I in them and you in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, tat the world may know (and definitely) recognize that You sent Me, and that You have loved them (even as You have loved Me)."
     When we come to the Father in prayer or fellowship, this Love must be the forerunner and most prominent thing in our lives.  If we enter in with fear or a condemning heart, then we are doubting His Love and have no peace.  It's impossible to walk in faith for answered prayer for ourselves or for others when there is no peace in your heart (or conscience) and expect results.
     Remember in Mark 11:23-24 (Amplified) Jesus said that "whatever we say ( in prayer or command) we must believe in our hearts?"  If we can believe in our hearts that this Love has removed the barrier between us and God once and for all, then we can have peace by the Blood of Jesus.  If what John said in 1 John 3:21 (Amplified), "And beloved, if our conscience (our hearts) do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty or condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."  Verse 22 goes on, "And we receive from Him whatever we ask. Because we (watchfully) obey His orders (observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us) and habitually practice what is pleasing to Him."
     Isn't this what Romans 8:14 says to do?  As many as are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  What has the leading of the Holy Spirit taught us about forgiveness, righteousness, justification, reconciliation and grace with peace?  If we are led by the Spirit of God's Love, then we will always know and walk in the Prince of Peace.
     Only lies of the past that are brought up by an unrenewed mind and a guilty conscience can keep this peace from reigning in your heart.  Church, we must believe that what the Word says about us is more true than what our accusing heart says about you.  1 John 3:20 (Amplified) tells us that, "If your heart makes you feel guilty and condemns you, God is greater than your heart."
     Receive your forgiveness in peace and let old things truly be passed away.  Live in the Prince of Peace.