The Lord said “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you...” (John 14:27). Jesus gives his peace to us. And while doing that, He differentiates his peace from the peace given by the world. We all talk about peace in the world, but when we talk about worldly peace, what do we really mean?
In the passage we read above, the Lord continues, "...not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Is it not obvious that the peace of this world can be bought by power, money and pacts?
The peace of Christ cannot be bought.
The peace of this world is delusional and fragile. It truly does not exist. The peace of the world is brought about by “marriages of convenience”, between people, nations and ideologies.
The peace offered by the world is politically correct, but not spiritually correct.
You could be living in poverty, but still could experience peace. You could be living in war-torn Iraq, but still could experience peace. You may be persecuted, but still could be a bearer of peace. You may be hated for your nationality, color or personality, but still could experience the internal serenity of Christ.
The world cannot bring this kind of peace to you. Troops cannot protect this peace. It is a peace, offered to those who are meek, humble and pure in heart. It is a peace offered to those who have an original innocence in them.
Of this peace, Paul writes in Philippians 4:7 -- "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
So first, we need Jesus to have this peace. If you are not born again, I invite you to.
This wonderful peace we speak so favorably about can only be given FREELY to those who have chosen to walk in the FREE grace that God has so lovingly provided for all men today! In this regard, it is of utmost importance that you seek to find and know Jesus in today's world and continue to increase in steps to knowing Jesus more.
Again, as pointed out by Brother Paul, this peace cannot be understood by the world because the peace of Christ will bring happiness in the midst of despair, hatred, sadness and darkness. This cannot be understood by the world at all because it defies human understanding. This kind of peace will happen only when you die in Christ with all your sins and all your pride.
And finally, this peace guards our hearts - always!
We are called to experience this peace of Christ as Jesus experienced true peace in His Father though complete obedience. To this same peace, he yearns to fill our lives with!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV)
"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:12 (NIV)
The Peace the World gives
In reference to worldly peace, we really mean the peace given by this world through treaties and pacts, as opposed to the true peace of Christ. In reality, the peace of the world is conditional, while the peace of Christ is unconditional.In the passage we read above, the Lord continues, "...not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Is it not obvious that the peace of this world can be bought by power, money and pacts?
The peace of Christ cannot be bought.
The peace of this world is delusional and fragile. It truly does not exist. The peace of the world is brought about by “marriages of convenience”, between people, nations and ideologies.
The peace offered by the world is politically correct, but not spiritually correct.
The Peace that Christ gives
The peace of Christ is an internal peace. It does not depend on your circumstances.You could be living in poverty, but still could experience peace. You could be living in war-torn Iraq, but still could experience peace. You may be persecuted, but still could be a bearer of peace. You may be hated for your nationality, color or personality, but still could experience the internal serenity of Christ.
The world cannot bring this kind of peace to you. Troops cannot protect this peace. It is a peace, offered to those who are meek, humble and pure in heart. It is a peace offered to those who have an original innocence in them.
Of this peace, Paul writes in Philippians 4:7 -- "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
So first, we need Jesus to have this peace. If you are not born again, I invite you to.
This wonderful peace we speak so favorably about can only be given FREELY to those who have chosen to walk in the FREE grace that God has so lovingly provided for all men today! In this regard, it is of utmost importance that you seek to find and know Jesus in today's world and continue to increase in steps to knowing Jesus more.
Again, as pointed out by Brother Paul, this peace cannot be understood by the world because the peace of Christ will bring happiness in the midst of despair, hatred, sadness and darkness. This cannot be understood by the world at all because it defies human understanding. This kind of peace will happen only when you die in Christ with all your sins and all your pride.
And finally, this peace guards our hearts - always!
We are called to experience this peace of Christ as Jesus experienced true peace in His Father though complete obedience. To this same peace, he yearns to fill our lives with!
Inspirational Bible Verse(s)
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV)
"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:12 (NIV)
Mr. Crouch we Love you.
ReplyDeleteWhere's the media when you need them. They should have been lurking about to get those million dollar cover magazines of Jan in tears at the funeral.
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