In Other Words…

In the beginning was the word…what words were in the beginning? Or what words have shaped faith over the years only to be lost in our modern vernacular? I am starting a new lesson series in youth group called “In Other Words.” Clearly many words have changed or lost their meaning over time. I cite just a few obvious ones: gay, cool, fag, awesome, and of course just about every “swear word” you can think of.

Meanings of words change over time. They are not fixed. The problem is that when we lose track of how words are used in Biblical stories, we miss the meaning. We miss the point of the story. How we understand words we use to talk about God influences our understanding God, and how we understand God influences how we live – so we need to understand words properly. Today, we begin in the beginning.

The ancient people often envisioned creation as a god battling chaos and rebellion, and upon his victory establishing the peaceful world. When we look back to Genesis 1:1-2, we read that God's spirit restlessly going across the earth, hovering over the waters which were often tumultuous. But in the following verses, all the way through the chapter, what does God do? He begins to carry out His will of reconstructing things in preparation for the next step in His purpose. He brings order and peace to a chaotic world. When all of that is complete, He finds rest, peace, in what He accomplishes according to His will. It said that at this point that God rested. The word "rest" is a synonym of the word "peace." God Himself set the example of how peace is produced. God found rest, satisfaction, comfort, and a sense of accomplishment.

In the beginning, when God created the world, everything was perfect. Nature was in perfect harmony. There was no record of global warming, tornadoes, hurricanes, or the like. Humankind watched over and tended the creation—they didn’t destroy it for selfish gain. Humanity was also in harmony with one another—the first fight doesn’t occur until sin comes in and murder is quick to follow. And, humanity is in harmony with God—the had an intimate, close relationship with Him .

God called it good (tov). In fact he called it very good. It was good and ordered, and everything was functioning as it was supposed to in perfect harmony. The word we might use for this state is “peace.” Genesis 1 and 2 paint a picture of how creation was supposed to exist—peaceful with everything is fulfilling its purpose.

Many think “peace” is the absence of war or perhaps just someone who is really laid back and avoids conflict. Eastern Meditation talks about finding peace by emptying ourselves of all thoughts and desires. They say that when we are completely empty we will be peaceful and free.

But as Christians we understand peace much differently. In reality, peace is completeness, wholeness, fulfillment of purpose. Instead of emptying ourselves, we should take our cue from the creation story. We are to be full of godly thoughts, actions, and seek to accomplish God’s will. Just as God was at peace and at rest when he accomplished His will so too are we. And understand something—though creation as we look around seems to reverting back to chaos, through the work of Jesus it is headed back to that Shalom. As Paul states in Ephesians 1:4-10:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

The story of the Bible is about the goal of God—to return to that Shalom.
Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace.” Princes are named from the place they come and they carry on the tradition and practices of Wales. His goal is to uphold the family name. So when Jesus is called “The Prince of Peace” he is continuing family tradition of bringing peace to the world. Just as God began the process so Jesus continues it.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” -John 14:27

Christ is stating that His peace is a different kind of peace from what is available through the normal channels of the world. The world's peace largely results from having the discontent calmed by means of things, or thinking that one has enough power to have control. Christ's peace is a result of faith, and it is because of a relationship established through faith. The faith of God is in control, that God is working out a purpose in and through us—in fact even in spite of us to a very great degree. It is a faith that we are not merely pawns, but actual participants in the most wonderful process and program that could ever happen to a human being: to be called.

Peace can be found. It is not a state of mind. It is accomplished. It is the fruit of doing God's will. Even God gets peace from doing His will, and His sons and daughters will also find peace in doing His will. Peace is destroyed through pride and the desire to control according to one's own will. Peace is achieved through faith, working through love for God and doing His will. This is where things are/should be headed (telos).

“Blessed are the peacemakers
for they will be called sons and daughters of God.”
In the same what that Jesus is a prince of peace and continues the process, so will be called sons and daughters of God—members of the line of peace.