1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,… I. WHAT ARE THE SEVERAL SPECIES OR KINDS OF PEACE? 1. There is an external peace, and that is — (1) Economical, peace in a family. (2) Political, peace in the State. (3) Ecclesiastical, peace in the Church.A spiritual peace, which is twofold — peace above us, or peace with God, and peace within us, or peace with conscience. This is superlative; other peace may be lasting, but this is everlasting. II. WHENCE COMES THIS PEACE? This peace hath the whole Trinity for its author. 1. God the Father is the "God of peace" (Philippians 4:9). 2. God the Son is the purchaser of peace (Colossians 1:20). Christ purchased our peace upon hard terms. 3. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit clears up the work of grace in the heart, from whence ariseth peace. III. WHETHER MAY SUCH AS ARE DESTITUTE OF GRACE HAVE PEACE? NO. Peace flows from sanctification, but they being unregenerate, have nothing to do with peace: "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." They may have a truce, but no peace. IV. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A FALSE PEACE? 1. A false peace hath much confidence in it, but this confidence is conceit. 2. False peace separates those things which God hath joined together: God joins holiness and peace, but he who hath a false peace separates these two. He lays claim to peace, but banisheth holiness. 3. False peace is not willing to be tried; a sign they are bad wares which will not endure the light; a sign a man hath stolen goods, when he will not have his house searched. A false peace cannot endure to be tried by the Word. The Word speaks of a humbling and refining work upon the soul before peace; false peace cannot endure to hear of this; the least trouble will shake this peace, it will end in despair. V. HOW SHALL WE KNOW THAT OURS IS A TRUE PEACE? 1. True peace flows from union with Christ. We must first be ingrafted into Christ, before we can receive peace from Him. 2. True peace flows from subjection to Christ; where Christ gives peace, there He sets up His government in the heart. 3. True peace is after trouble. Many say they have peace, but is this peace before a storm, or after it? True peace is after trouble. VI. WHETHER HAVE ALL SANCTIFIED PERSONS THIS PEACE? They have a title to it; they have the ground of it; grace is the seed of peace, and it will in time turn to peace, as the blossoms of a tree to fruit, milk to cream. VII. BUT WHY HAVE NOT ALL BELIEVERS THE FULL ENJOYMENT AND POSSESSION OF PEACE? WHY IS NOT THIS FLOWER OF PEACE FULLY RIPE AND BLOWN? 1. Through the fury of temptation. 2. Through mistake and misapprehension about sin. 3. Through remissness in duty. VIII. WHAT SHALL WE DO TO ATTAIN THIS BLESSED PEACE? 1. Ask it of God. 2. Make war with sin. 3. Go to Christ's blood for peace. 4. Walk closely with God.Walk very holily: God's Spirit is first a refiner before a comforter. (T. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, |
    |