How to Experience Christ's Peace
John 14:27-31
27 Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to
you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You
heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved
me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father
is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so
that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk
much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,
31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know
that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here."My
peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Jesus spoke these amazing words just hours
before His crucifixion. His peace isn’t dependent upon external circumstances,
but rather, it transcends them. Although He gives His peace to every believer
as a gift, our experience of it is related to our faith in the following
truths:
• God
is in control of everything. Without this assurance, the world is a scary
place.
• He
loves me and will see me through every circumstance, no matter how difficult or
painful it may be.
• To
have Christ’s peace, I must surrender my life to Him. When I hold onto my ways
and plans, I’ll experience turmoil.
• I
have a limited perspective and understanding of my circumstances and God’s
purposes for allowing them. His goals for me are greater than my immediate comfort.
• The
Lord promises to work all things out for my good. He is continually working to transform
my character into Christ’s image.
• I
must live in sync with God, walking in the Spirit and promptly confessing and
repenting of sin.
• Scripture
is my foundation for peace. It increases my trust in the Lord’s goodness,
assures me that He keeps His promises, and reminds me of His sovereignty over
every situation.
Sadly, many Christians live
their whole lives without consistently experiencing this incomprehensible
peace. Perhaps faith and submission are the most challenging issues. But only
as we surrender control of our lives to Christ and trust in His plans for us
will we discover tranquil rest for our souls.