Christ the Lord of Peace, Creating a Masterpiece
Peace is hard to find these days.
I once read a statistic from a New York Times article published in 2003 that said this:
Out of the last 3,400 years of recorded history, humanity has been entirely at peace for only 268 years—about 8% of the time. In that study, “war” was defined as any conflict resulting in more than 1,000 deaths.
Now, there has been debate about the accuracy of those numbers and how peace or war should be defined. But even with debate, one thing is clear: human history is overwhelmingly marked by conflict. For most of recorded time, peace has been the exception—not the rule.
So today, I want to talk about peace.
Not the absence of conflict.
Not a temporary calm.
But something deeper. Something biblical.
What Kind of Peace Are We Talking About?
Recently, Scotty Ward Smith published a short article—or really, a prayer—in his daily post Heavenward. It asks a piercing question:
Who—or what—rules your heart?
That article reminds us that when Christ rules our hearts, He rules with peace—a peace that guards our hearts and minds.
So let me define what I mean when I say peace.
I’m talking about peace in the biblical sense.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:16
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
—Colossians 3:15
Biblical peace is not denial. It is not escapism.
It means well‑being, security, and rest under God’s rule.
In the Old Testament, the word is shalom—wholeness, completeness, flourishing. And that peace is always rooted in God’s covenant with His people.
God Never Promised an Easy World
Nowhere does God promise us a life free from conflict, illness, loss, or pain. In fact, Scripture tells us the opposite.
We live in a world that is broken and infected by sin. Jesus Himself told us plainly: “In this world you will have trouble.”
That trouble shows up everywhere:
- Toil and frustration in our work
- Broken relationships
- Confusion over identity
- Disease and suffering
- War, violence, and death
But here is what God does promise:
In the storm, He is our shelter.
In the chaos, He is our rock.
In the darkness, He is an ever‑present help.
These things do not have the final word.
They do not get to cancel our peace.
And God assures His covenant people that they will never be lost or forsaken.
Peace Was Secured at Calvary
The clearest proof of that peace was displayed at Calvary.
It was there that this world unleashed its most hideous evil—taking the perfect God‑Man, Jesus Christ, and nailing Him to a cross.
And yet, it was also there that the greatest act of love was displayed.
Jesus willingly laid down His life.
He bore the full weight of our sin.
He absorbed the righteous wrath of God in our place.
And three days later, He rose from the grave—declaring once and for all that even the worst evil imaginable does not get the last word.
That empty tomb is the foundation of our peace.
Living on God’s Timeline
At Grace Renewal Church, we’re currently going through a Colson Center study called Truth Rising. One of the sessions talks about understanding life on God’s timeline.
Scripture gives us four great movements:
- Creation
- The Fall
- Redemption
- Restoration
Creation has happened.
The Fall has happened.
If we forget those two, nothing else makes sense.
After the Fall came Redemption, accomplished fully and decisively in Christ. And right now, we live between redemption and restoration.
I don’t know where we are on that timeline.
None of us do.
Days? Centuries? Millennia? Only God knows.
But because this is God’s timeline, and because redemption is already accomplished, I can be certain of one thing:
God will get His redeemed people all the way home.
My restoration is not based on what I do for God—but on what God has already done for me in Christ.
Why This Gives Us Unshakable Peace
I won’t always like what happens on the timeline.
I won’t always understand it.
But I have peace because God sees the whole timeline. He knows where history is going, and He will accomplish everything He has purposed.
Now compare that with a different kind of peace.
If my peace is based on:
- What I can control
- What I must accomplish
- What has happened to me
- What might happen to me
Then that peace is fragile.
It can disappear with a flat tire.
Or a doctor’s visit.
Or a phone call that changes everything.
And those moments can be tragic, painful, and shattering.
But what they cannot do is cancel what God has promised.
Because He is the Lord of peace, and He gives peace at all times and in every way.
Our situation or circumstances are not the source of peace. He is.
Peace in a Chaotic World
I can’t turn on the news—or scroll through social media—without seeing unrest, hostility, and division. And if I’m honest, it affects me. I get angry. I grieve the loss of civility, dignity, and basic human decency—even among so‑called leaders and professionals.
Albert Mohler has spoken recently about the loss of dignity in our culture, our leaders and he’s right.
But I have to remind myself of this:
I do not need to add to the chaos.
Instead, I have the privilege—and the responsibility—to point people to the infinite source of peace. When the opportunity is there, I must speak of the Lord of Peace.
And even when I can’t say something, I can demonstrate how His peace secures, guides me.
Why I Call This “Master Peace”
I titled this Master Peace very intentionally.
In the Truth Rising documentary, there’s a story about Colorado baker Jack Phillips, whose shop is called Masterpiece Cakeshop. That word—masterpiece—stuck with me. Put this seed in my mind
Then I thought of Paul’s words in Ephesians:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
That word translated “workmanship” is the Greek word poiēma—the word we get poem from.
In other words, what God is creating—both individually in His people and corporately in His church—is a masterpiece.
Now, from our vantage point, it may not look like a masterpiece. We see blotches of paint. Rough edges. Half‑formed sculptures. Smudged lines. Crumpled drafts. How can you call this a masterpiece.
But the Artist sees something different.
He sees the finished work.
He sees what He is making.
And Scripture tells us plainly: we are His workmanship.
And here’s where the wordplay comes in.
Christ is not only shaping a masterpiece.
Christ is the Lord of Peace.
The Master of Peace.
And when He rules our hearts, He is doing something profound:
He is creating Master Peace.
Not a fragile peace built on circumstances.
Not a shallow peace built on denial.
But a covenantal, blood‑bought, resurrection‑secured peace—rooted in His sovereign rule and His finished work.
This peace does not mean the storms stop.
It means they no longer reign.
This peace does not mean suffering disappears.
It means suffering does not have the final word.
Christ, the Master of Peace, is ruling His people—even now.
And as He does, He is shaping them into something glorious.
A people at peace.
A people of peace.
A people secure.
A people being formed into His masterpiece.
And since you are created in the image of God, you can pursue peace.
You can create and not just copy.
A video version of this along with some music will be posted at Common Man Guitar.
Common Man Faith 