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The Peace of Christ
January 22, 2017
The peace that Christ gives is different than peace which we expect in the world. It is a spiritual peace, an inner peace that embraces peace with oneself, peace with God, and peace with our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Peace in the world means a cessation of hostilities between groups. We have the peace of Christ even in the midst of the troubles that we face in this world. - Bernie Parsons
The Peace of Christ
by Bernie Parsons
Presented to Globe church of Christ on 01-22-2017
Presented to Load church of Christ on 01-29-2017
In the last lesson I spoke of pursuing peace in order to enhance
relationships. I feel that many who profess Christianity may not
understand the role of peace in our lives. Some dont even understand
the peace that Christ spoke about while with His disciples.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the
world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid."
When we think of peace, we generally think of an end to fighting, a
cessation of hostilities. The peace that Jesus gives is not the same as
what the world offers as peace. Jesus spoke of an entirely different
sort of peace. He spoke of a peace of mind, a peace of heart. It is a
peace that takes away fear and allows the heart to remain calm even in
the midst of troubles.
Matthew 10:21 "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death,
and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their
parents, and cause them to be put to death
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that
endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for
verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel,
till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the
servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not
be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear
in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the
soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in
hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not
fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess
also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before
my Father which is in heaven.
In the above reading we see that Jesus did not promise peace in the
flesh, peace in the world. He paints an opposing picture, one of friends
and family becoming enemies, even insofar as persecuting us and causing
our deaths. In verse 28 above, we see that our enemies
do have the ability to take our flesh and blood lives, contrary to
what some religious folks teach. The peace comes in knowing that they
cannot destroy our souls only God can do that.
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came
not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the
daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother
in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and
he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not
worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life
for my sake shall find it."
We are mistaken if we think that Jesus assured His followers of worldly
peace. He plainly stated that He came to send a sword, and not peace.
Again, the peace comes not in this life and world, but in the heart,
mind and soul. It stems from the knowledge that man cannot take our
soul, God can save our soul, and even if the flesh ceases to function
the soul of man lives.
John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world:
again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and
speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that
any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from
God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be
scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am
not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world.
Jesus encouraged His followers to be cheerful amidst the coming
tribulation.
Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Our peace is with God, through Christ. Our troubles lead to patience,
giving us experience, which produces hope, and therein have we peace.
Mark 9:49 "For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice
shall be salted with salt.
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will
ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."
I spoke last time of Christians as salt and light, the city set on the
hill to be observed. The one place on earth where we should find peace
is among our Christian brothers and sisters. If the peace of Christ
abides with us, we will maintain peace with one another in the body of
Christ.
Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men."
Romans 14:19 "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
It is incumbent upon the believer to do everything within his or her
power to make peace. That said, others do not always want peace, and
will not always embrace overtures for peace.
The goal for the Christian is not just to live a life of peace, but to
have peace with his brothers and sisters in order to build one another
up. The resultant mature Christian can then deal with whatever troubles
come his way with an inner peace.
2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you."
