Shalom – Part 2

In the last blog we saw that, there is more to Shalom than merely peace, well-being or wholeness. It was proposed that it deals with three areas (not necessarily in any order), the physical aspects of life, life’s relationships and justice in those relationships, and finally the morality or ethical nature of relationships or the righteousness of life.[1] These three areas have application in dealings between God and humanity, and relating to one another.

If this is the case then how do we live from the reality of Shalom? What needs to be remembered here is that, although humanity has been spoiled by the fall, we have still been created in the image and likeness of God, Gen 1:26. This included His Shalom, which has been restored in Christ and is existing to those who are His. As Christ-follows we are now new a creation in Christ, 2 Cor 5:17 and that includes Shalom.

This is our reality, which we need to look out from and live from right now. It is not something that will be our reality one day in the future. We have already been transformed by the work of the Spirit of God. So, we have already received this peace. We got this with God through Jesus Christ from the very second that we were born from above, Rom 5:1. So, we do not need to lose our inner peace for anything or anyone external, even if our the world appears anxious or distressed.[2]

Instead, we can walk into a situation with the Shalom of God as carriers of it at all times. Whether we can feel the peace of not, we have this Shalom. It is by faith that we hold to this truth. Remember that, we are living in the Shalom of God and His Kingdom, which has said to be,

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17 ESV).

So, are you living from the reality of Shalom? If not or you have let things stay, then it is never to late to realign your inner life.

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…

---

[1] Yoder, Perry B. Shalom: The Bible’s Word for Salvation, Justice & Peace. (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1997), 10-16.

[2] De Sales, Francis. In Calm. Steve Barnett. (Kansas City, MO: Andrew McMeel, 2006), 1.