“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John
16:33)
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the LORD.” (Hebrews 12:14)
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to
you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:2
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a virus not to be feared, but to be respected. I have no fear of this illness, but I do have concerns. My concern is for those believers who are being controlled by the panic of this outbreak, fueled by the media and those who want to control the fearful. Wisdom and trust of God’s wisdom, plus the support from medical people with no political agenda, should calm the believer into being a strong foundation for those of the world having no peace.
We are living in evil times and it only seems to be rapidly increasing. We have no certainty about what may come in our earthly tomorrows. This is why these verses in Philippians 4 above are so dear to me. Notice again verse 7: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The Peace of God.
This is not something like the peace of God; nor is it your peace strengthened by God because of your position in Him. This is God’s peace in you as a believer!
God’s peace, in the one walking in the Spirit, is a strong sense of comfort and reassurance. Nothing interrupts God’s peace within a trusting believer. Not one thing in all of God’s creation will ever disturb His peace in you except when fear, controlled by the evil one, grips your unguarded heart and mind. “The peace of God . . . shall keep your hearts and minds.” Jesus said, “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.” (John 14:27)
“My peace I give unto you.”
Look at the Philippians Scripture above again, it tells you how to embrace His peace. The offer still stands: “Come to Me, and I will give you rest” (peace) (Matthew 11:28). “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39).
Beloved Christian, not only can you personally enjoy the peace of God, which is given you, but that peace is not just for you to hoard. Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
As believers, we are to spread God’s peace throughout the world. When we live in His peace, we are encouraged by the Spirit of Peace to be peacemakers wherever we go.
Jesus taught, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
How are we to do this? What does it mean to love one another?
The “one another” in these verses is a reference to fellow believers. A distinguishing mark of being a follower of Christ is a deep, sincere love for all believers in Christ. The Apostle John reminds us of this: “He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:21).
For the only time in all history, Jesus created a group whose identifying feature is love. Followers of Christ are identified by the compelling deep love they have for one another. In the early church, their love for Christ and each other drove them to see that no one in the church went without needs being attended to. Today’s church lacks this depth of love. Only when the church returns to this level of love will the world see that she is truly different and set apart from all else. Only when we, the church, succeed in this compassionate love for one another can we move beyond and into another realm of expectation by our LORD Jesus Christ:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48).
When we choose to live in a trusting heart, having total reliance on God, then we can begin living a life of love which displays God’s peace in a world of terrifying lies and hype leading to violence.
Yes, beloved, the Church, being His Church, can make a difference in the world. Let’s be His love-filled peacemakers! Pray On!