The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Thessalonians — Section 82

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." When, after hie resurrection be appeared to hie disciples, be bailed them with the salutation of peace. "As they thus epake," we are told, "Jesus him8elf stood in the midst of them, e.nd saith unto them, Peace be unto yon;" e.nd yet again, on the same occasion, he said, "Peace be unto you." We wish, then, for all in whom we are interestecl, that our ascended Lord would bestow peace upon them, even as he bestowed peace upon the disciples before he ascended. (2) The peace invoked. "Give you peace." "Peace be with you," is a sentiment which we should have in our bee.rte, e.ncl often on our lips, especially in parting with our friends, as Paul here in his letter parts with the Thes8alon ians. They leave us for e. time, but not without our sincere wishes for their peace. Now, what is the peace that we wish especially for those that we are interested in? To be clear with God, There is no greater evil than to be in a state of unreconciledness to God. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." They have sometimes a peace, a want of such dispee.ce as might be expected, but only by blinking the facts of their case. They do not thus get quit of their sins, any more than men can get out of debt by pertinaciously refusing to look into their accounts. Their state remains unaltered. Their sins will find them out, it may be in this life. Certainly, when earthly things cannot longer preoccupy them, and in the presence of eternal realities they are thrown back upon themselves, then will conscience fill them with dispeace. For persons who are insensible to their actual condition as sinners we can only wish dispeace. " Let sinners in Zion be afraid, let fearfulness surprise the hypocrites." What we wish for our friends is a peace that corresponds to facts. We wish them to be in a state of reconciliation, and to be conscious of that. We wish them to be so that they can inquire most narrowly into their state, and honestly come to the conclusion that they have an interest in Christ, while repeated self-examination can only result in the discovery of something more in their character that needs to be removed. To have a {t/llling of repose in God. We are such beings that our peace is only to be found in dependence, in leaning. We are apt to seek a resting-place in the creature; b11t, alas, all that is beneath the highest fails us, and we are driven from one resting-place to another, like the dove that could find no rest on the unstable waters. "Returu unto thy rest, 0 my soul." True peace is only to be founrl in him from whom our being has come and to whom it tends, in leaning our weakness on his strength, vur ignorance on his wisdom, our sinfulness on his grace. This is a rest out of which we cannot be driven, which makes us independent of the creature, which cures our restlessness of spirit. And as this is what we so much wish for ourselves, so we wish it for our friends. To have a feeling of satisfaction in being employed as God wants them to be employed. It is essential to our peace that our faculties shoulrl be truly and healthily employed. "Great peace have they who love thy Law." ADC! what we wish for our. friends is that, in some worthy way, they should work out tl:.t,i plan of their life given them by God. To have peace from without. It is said that, whet1 a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. And that is often strikingly fulfilled. But it is not wha• dvery one can enjoy. Even Christ had his enemies, who gave no cause of offence to any. And we cannot calculate on escaping, who fail so much in our social duties. But still we wish this outward peace for our friends so far as it may please God. Let them be delivered from unreasonable and evil men. "Let no root of bitterness springing up trouble them." May causes of annoyance, elements of discord, be removed from families and from Churches! (3) Time for which peace is invoked. "At all times." That would not be a good wish which was limited to a certain time, and was not made to extend over a longer period. If we wish ,eace at all, wo will not wish it merely for a day, or for a month, or for a year, but for all time. Let them not by carelessness lose their evidences. Let not the comin~ years bring discord into their hearts or into their circle. The Lord give them peace it1 the season of affliction. The Lord e~pecially give them peace in their dying hour. 'l'he Lord give them peace when they enter upon a new and 80lemn scene. May pe;u•o a.bide with them for ever. (4) Ways in which peace is i11voked. "In all ways." 1'he Lord of peace knows best how to see to the peace of our friends; with him, therefore, the ways may be left. The Lord use ns, if we are his way of promoting their peace. The Lord work even against them in his providence, if that is necessary to their being ejected from their false confidencllll, The Lord especially increase their faith. that their II. THEBBALONIANB, 8  d2 THE :SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSA.LONIANS. [oH. m. 1-18.