Philippians IV
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 ESV)
Peace First and Last
Winning is one of modern culture’s primary idols. Victory is the goal. Victory at all costs. Victory wins.
But winning does not lead to peace. Winning leads to the next fight.
Peace, here, is described as not merely being better than understanding, but the goal of understanding. Peace (God’s peace) surpasses understanding because it is WHY God’s people need understanding. And peace with God is HOW God’s people receive understanding.
When we understand God, we stop fighting against Him, and find peace. When we understand God, we stop fighting against His actions in the world, and find peace. When we understand God, we stop fighting against His will in the world, and find peace.
But understanding does not mean brain-knowledge. We understand God because we have a relationship (THE relationship) with the Messiah, Christ Jesus.
Best of all, peace can happen now. God intends us to have peace now. Not after the fight of our life is done… but surpassing the fight of our life, just like it surpasses understanding.
Winning is not everything. Whether an argument around the kitchen table, or a Karate Kid championship.
But peace, God’s peace… is everything.