What is the difference between peace with God and the peace of God?
Peace with God is the settled peace received at salvation and brought to Him in prayer. The peace of God is the inward peace that passes all understanding, keeping hearts and minds through Christ Jesus in trying times, even when God does not grant what is asked.
Les explains that the peace with God is the peace a believer gets at salvation, and it can be taken to God in prayer. He illustrates this while concerned about heat and drought and grass for his cattle; his hope is in those promises, and he tells a neighbor he is praying and trusts God will answer in His own time. But whatever the circumstance, believers have peace with God, and also the peace of God which passeth all understanding. Some things we cannot comprehend how He answers, because sometimes He does not grant. It may not rain, but whether it does or not, the peace of God remains. That peace of God keeps our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, who is the constant, never fails, and is always there. So there are two categories: the peace with God received at salvation, and the peace of God that carries believers through trying times.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
More Questions
When do you get the peace of God as opposed to peace with God?
The peace with God is received at salvation, whereas the peace of God is entered into as a believer in the Spirit-filled walk.
Why does Galatians 5 list love, joy, and peace together, and what two kinds of peace are behind them?
The love, joy, and peace in Galatians 5 come because of two categories: the peace with God received at salvation, and the peace of God that carries believers through their trying times.