The Peace of Jesus

 

Dear Readers

I think that most of you, if not all, would agree with me when I say that we are living in turbulent times. I don’t have to explain to you what I mean because you can just go to any newspaper or turn on any News channel and you will be inundated with the most tragic stories and pictures of man’s inhumanity to man, natural disasters, environmental disasters, greenhouse gases and the lascivious lives of most of the so called ‘celebrities.’

For as long as I can remember people have been longing for peace! Peace from war and fighting, family feuds, feuds with neighbours, etc, etc. We all want peace yet in the world there is no peace and nor will there be!

Peace, peace yet there is no peace, these words have reverberated across the centuries from the times of the Old Testament prophets, Ezekiel and Jeremiah and they are still echoing in our ears today in just about every language in today’s world!

So, my dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, you will be pleased to know that the turmoil we find ourselves in today has not taken God by surprise. He has the big picture! He not only knows the beginning, but he knows the end as well – He is the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end!

He has given us all the good news we will ever need, and his name is Jesus, His one and only begotten son! Hallelujah!

So, as Christians, where do we find peace in this messed-up world and in our messed-up countries?

What does Jesus say?

In John 14:27, the verse in the picture above, Jesus gives us two very emphatic commands:

DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED

And

DO NOT BE AFRAID

We need to take a firm grip on these instructions and write them indelibly in our minds and our hearts. Let’s keep reminding ourselves that in Jesus we are overcomers of the world!

He also says that we can expect trouble, so don’t be surprised!

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

When we are in Christ Jesus, we have victory over the world because He overcame the world on the cross at Calvary. He overcame sin and death and was resurrected so that we can be overcomers too once we have accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour and have given our lives over to Him to manage by the power of the Holy Spirit!

As born-again Christians we belong to Jesus, we become co-heirs with Him in everything that God has for us as His beloved Children – but in order to appropriate this privilege we must be led by His Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14-17 (NIV)

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

So, we will share in Christ’s suffering but, we will also share in his glory! Amen! God gave us of His Spirit, a spirit of POWER of LOVE and a SOUND MIND!

But we need to be obedient children! If the Bible tells us not to do something’ then don’t do it! If the Bible tells us to do something, then we’d better do it! So, what are you worrying about?

Matthew 6:25, 34 (NIV)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So, brothers and sisters, be obedient and don’t worry but do pray and give thanks for everything – even for your difficult times for it is in hardship that we learn many godly things!

Phillipians 4:6-7 (AMP)

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

Roman 5:1-5 (NIV)

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

So, in Christ Jesus we have peace with God, and this is the peace that the world does not understand – it is the peace that sees us through all the trials and tribulations that we have in life!

But we have a part to play in attaining this peace once we are born-again, we must believe in Jesus and the teachings of the Bible! We must trust in Jesus and the teachings of the Bible! We must have faith in Jesus and the teachings of the Bible! We must be filled with His Holy Spirit and be led by Him always and in everything we do! We must be doers of the Word and not just readers! When we do this, we are pleasing to God.

Romans 14:17-18 (NIV)

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Our righteousness, peace and joy in today’s world can only come through a relationship with Jesus. Our peace can only come by being obedient to Him and the Bible (Old and New Testaments) for the Bible is Jesus. Our peace can only come by being filled with His Holy Spirit and by living life in the Spirit.

John 1:14 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Ephesians 5:17-21 (AMP)

17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. 19 Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Brothers and sisters, we are charged to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is our responsibility, not the responsibility of our leaders, our pastors and elders and other in Church leadership, or they must do the same for their lives.

Let’s make sure we play our part as Jesus commands!

Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP)

12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

You are not your own, you belong to Jesus, we are His Bride, His Church!

Acts 17:28 (AMP)

For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

God keeps those that are whole heartedly His in Christ Jesus, in perfect peace!

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],

Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
I pray this day that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and keep on filling me so that I may overcome the things that come against me in this world and not become bogged down by worry and anxiety. Help me to be obedient to your Word in every way and do your bidding in accordance with your will for myself. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Last updated: 11 November 2022