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Wednesday, July
23, 2008
Real Peace
John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you
all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said
unto you. (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. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation
for John 14:26-27
26. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom
the Father will send to represent me, will teach you everything Himself,
and cause you to remember everything that I have told you. 27. I now leave
you the blessing of peace, I give you the blessing of my own peace. I myself do not give it in the way the
world gives it. Stop letting your
hearts be troubled or timid.
Strong’s definition for ‘peace’:
1515
eirene (i-ray'-nay); probably from a primary verb eiro (to join);
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:
KJV-- one, peace, quietness, rest, + set
at one again.
Where are you finding peace and comfort
today; is it in the promises of man, or are you holding to the promise of
God? Mankind promises peace, however the peace they promise is short lived,
based on promises that can be changed or broken, while the peace of God is
based on truth, from a God that cannot and will not lie. God’s word and
promises are given for our benefit and do not change or fluctuate like the
economy of this world. While mankind makes promises based on what is best
for their benefit; so once something or someone is no longer of benefit to
them they are discarded. Just like with a job, or a house, or any other
temporal thing that you may have had promised, in this realm it can change
quickly, while the things of God are eternal because we serve an
unchangeable God who is not subject to the laws and limitations of this
fallen realm. God gave us a comforter so that we could find just that,
comfort in the realm of the Spirit even though things are chaotic in the
outward one.
Isaiah 26:3-5 Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
(4) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting
strength: (5) For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city,
he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even
to the dust. (KJV)
As a man thinks in his heart so is he,
and so will be the realm he operates in also. A perfect love will cast out
all fear because you are keeping your mind renewed in the promises of God
and allowing Him to have the final say in your walk despite what may change
in the outward realm. So, while things all around us may be changing on a
daily basis, your love and that peace which you have found in the realm of
the Spirit does not have to change or fluctuate with the times. How strong
and deep are you rooted in the truth; do you change and jump ship if the
winds of doctrine start blowing contrary to what is truth? No matter what man
says or tries to dictate God is still in control and able to do above all
that we could ever ask or think because that is the realm He operates in,
above and beyond the realm of a fallen mankind and their empty self serving
promises.
Mark 4:37-41 And there arose a great
storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
(38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and
they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
(39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be
still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40) And he said
unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? (41) And
they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is
this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (KJV)
You know, what we see demonstrated in the
above example illustrates a perfect example of how we should be training
ourselves spiritually. When a wind of doctrine comes your way, or a storm
arises in your walk, what is your first response, faith or fear? Well if
your first pursuit and interest on a daily basis is seeking first the
kingdom of God then you would be more apt to respond in the Spirit rather
than react according to the flesh. Our Lord was able to see a calm restored
to the situation because He held to the promise of God and allowed His
peace to rule, one that passes our own understanding but is still in effect
despite the outward circumstances. Practice can make one perfect. So the
more you become faithful in the least, the more you will be prepared and
ready for bigger things that come along and try to impede your walk in the
Spirit.
Isaiah 57:19-21 I create the fruit of the
lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith
the LORD; and I will heal him. (20) But the wicked are like the troubled
sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. (21) There is
no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (KJV)
Oh, and expect to find some opposition
while walking in this peace because the enemy will blow through and bombard
God’s people; sometimes digging up the dirt and mire from your past to try
to blow you off course. Just because others don’t have the peace of God
doesn’t mean you have to lower your standards and end up back in the
pigpen, becoming entangled in the affairs of this life which drowns many in
destruction and despair. So which way are you headed today; and what is
guiding your ship; is it one that is safe and secure, or are there holes in
your doctrine and you are sinking fast?
Jeremiah 6:13-15 For from the least of
them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and
from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. (14) They
have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying,
Peace, peace; when there is no peace. (15) Were they ashamed when they had
committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could
they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time
that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. (KJV)
The world and its worldly people can only
give a partial answer, and provide a temporal or temporary peace that does
not last, and neither do those that rely on it. There are a lot of false
prophets that promise liberty in the form of religion, but they themselves
are nothing less than cheap hucksters looking out more for their own
interests than the congregations. Do you know truly what the peace of God
is and how to maintain it, or are you riding the waves of popular opinions
floating aimlessly on the dead sea?
1Thessalonians 5:2-4 For yourselves know
perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3)
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh
upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
(4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief. (KJV)
Those that have the eyes of their understanding
open and enlightened will know the difference between what man calls peace
and the peace of God which is unchangeable. Are your eyes open and your
spiritual senses operational so that if there is a storm brewing you will
be prepared, or will you be caught out in the middle of the sea struggling
in the muck and mire of this fallen world?
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