PEACE WITH GOD -- A sick visitor once asked a man whether he had made his peace with God. "No", replied the man, "No, thank God, it was made for me". Peace with God can only be possible as a result of righteousness. Man by nature cannot produce this righteousness, and therefore cannot make his peace with God. Romans 5:1 gives the true position: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". Note the "being" before the "having".
PEACE OF GOD -- All who have peace with God, who are fully acquitted before God, are not always enjoying the peace of God. This is more in line with the second half of Isaiah 32:17, "The effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever". Philippians 4:5 to 7 shows us the path to this peace. Moderation or "yieldingness" to all; anxiety for nothing, for everything prayer and thanks, "and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall GARRISON your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of God RULE as UMPIRE in your hearts". Here we have a blessed guard and guide.
THE GOD OF PEACE -- One might think that to reach the standard of Philippians 4:5 to 7 was high enough. Verse 9, however, pointing us to the example of that faithful follower of the Lord, says, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of Peace shall be with you". If the Giver is greater than His gifts, this is favour indeed.
C.H. WELCH