Stress.
Distress.
Oppressed.
Depressed.
Mental Illness, temporary or chronic, runs its course in our so-called advanced society and modern culture. It can be commonly collected under a heading I see as a deficit of peace.
What is lacking in a life with a deficient peace? According to the dictionary, peace is “freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc., a state or condition conducive to, proceeding from, or characterized by tranquility:” In more straightforward form, it is the absence of conflict.
How do we, as citizens in a world marked by conflict, from personal to political, find peace? The only guarantor of peace is Jesus Christ.
Jesus offers peace, tranquility, and confidence in the face of difficulty. Whether we believe him enough to trust him for the experience is an issue we have to personally grapple with. The Apostle Paul calls this the ‘good fight of faith.’ Faith does not come from the natural circumstances of life, but an intentional and relational knowledge of God in the person of Jesus. The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing (a spiritual capacity) and hearing comes by the Word of God (a spiritual experience.)
Every enemy of your mind, will, and emotional life will try to throw up obstacles to that relational/conversational experience with God as your source. That is why Paul called it a fight. Faith does not come easy, but it does come with intimacy and intention. Get close to the Lord, read his Word, listen to his voice. His direction will lead you confidently in his will and plan for your life.
As we look at these words of Jesus to his closest followers just ahead of his arrest and crucifixion, he knew they were about to experience the greatest moment of conflict ever experienced. He was close to them as they were to you, but they had to learn to use his word(s) to move forward. This was a very important message they would have to trust and rely on in their experiences for the next thirty years or more. Why because they were about to enter into a life of conflict that was countered by the peace of God from within.
So, here were these disciples and friends, gathered in a room in Jerusalem for a Jewish festival, Passover. They had no idea that during the evening one of them would sell out Jesus to arrest, they’d see a kangaroo court with rogue witnesses convict Jesus of violating the religious law, turned over to legal authorities for execution, and the merciless beating of Jesus until he was virtually unrecognizable, and feel as if they were going to be next.
And, into that scenario Jesus speaks and has to hope they remember and hang onto his wisdom and foresight.
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
This expanded version of Jesus’ quote in John 14.27, is meant to fully embrace the totality of the offer and our participation to release fear, anxiety, and obstacles to our peace. The word ‘bequeath’ means to leave an inheritance for someone in your will. Jesus died to make sure we received all he is and has, and then resurrected to become his own executor. How cool is that?
However, you and I are so earthly cultivated in fear, lack, and do-it-yourself thinking that we find it difficult to move our thoughts from the natural to the supernatural realm of God’s activity. Can you trust Jesus' words? You can, but only when you know him closely enough to know that you can sleep in a storm, you can endure the night, and you can do all things, no matter the personal cost, through Jesus who provides your strength.
Adapting to God’s Word and experiencing faith usually does not happen overnight but must be cultivated to trust what we do not see beyond what we can see, touch, and feel. Faith IS the substance of things HOPED for (expected) and the evidence of the unseen.
It involves transformation from the normal external environment that leads us to an Spirit-empowered internal source we follow. So many people underestimate Christianity, or the lifestyle of following Jesus Christ. It is not about getting out of hell free and receiving a ticket to heaven. Following Jesus Christ is about entering the domain of the supernatural, or the Kingdom of God. Jesus said his message was the communication of God’s Kingdom coming to humanity and humanity coming into the Kingdom of God. His Kingdom is life-changing and is not found in everyday appetites.
Paul writes to the Romans to introduce this idea, saying “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” What is he telling them that informs us? If we try to satisfy our life by only natural means, we miss. If we receive Jesus’ righteousness, peace (with God and of God), and fulfillment provided by our supernatural relationship drawing life from the Holy Spirit living within we experience the Kingdom. His Kingdom IS righteousness, peace, and joy IN the Holy Spirit.
You might ask, “How do I get started, Phil?”
If you are interested, I have a gift for you. It is absolutely free, but if you find it valuable you can invest in our ministry to design, develop, and deepen the capacity of Christian leadership worldwide. Any gift is appreciated up to and exceeding $100,000, which is our Global Impact Goal in 2025. Again, you can ask for this peace guide resource, and it is yours without any obligation except to please use it. I have created three vital learning junctions for entering peace and exuding peace.
I hope you seek peace, receive peace, and subsequently experience peace so that you can live boldly and confidently as a difference-maker, which is God’s purpose for your life. You are not here for leisure but for fruitful living.
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