As Apostle Paul told his beloved son, Timothy (2 Timothy 1:2), I wish all who read this grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord! Amen.
My brothers and sisters, in today’s fast-paced and electronically-connected world, even strong believers in Christ can sometimes become disheartened, distressed and righteously angry at the evil and selfishness impacting our lives every day. It seems that walking in the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4) and lifting up others aren’t even concerns anymore, with materialism, power and control being the goal and endgame – especially in politics and civil government.
So, why does it matter? Well, no matter how deeply we love the Lord, or how spot-on our scriptural interpretations and guidance might be, or how “righteous” our anger might be, if we lose our peace, it becomes difficult to be effective ambassadors for Christ walking in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
Those of us who name Jesus as Savior should seek and trust the Lord in all things. If our desire is to love and serve Him, then how do we effectively demonstrate our faith and the love of God to those who believe that the cross of Christ is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18) – when we ourselves appear fearful and anxious (Philippians 4:6-8)?
Praise Jesus that we have been commanded and have been given the ability by the Holy Spirit living within us (the mind of Christ) to walk in the peace of Christ and to be anxious for nothing (2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 and John 15:26). Jesus tells us many times in the bible to “fear not!” Is this always easy? No! I know first hand how difficult it can be sometimes, but this is God’s will for us! In Christ, it’s not only possible but it’s His very best for us. So, the question becomes, do we trust and fear the world more than we trust and fear God? Our Lord is quick to forgive when we sin and repent, so when we lose our peace, we brush ourselves off and move forward in Christ!
Of course there is an adversary who desires the exact opposite of peace in our lives – Satan (the “prince of the power of the air”) and his demons (Ephesians 2:1-2). The goal of the evil one is always to steal, kill, destroy and counterfeit the things of God (John 10:10). It’s the mission of the evil one to make sure that you and I live our day-to-day lives in angst and anxiousness. Why? It’s because of the indescribable amount of hate in his heart coupled with the knowledge that if he can cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus, even temporarily, the resulting anger and anxiousness may begin to chip away, diminish or even cause us to walk away from our most precious faith and trust in Jesus. After all, even the evil one knows that Jesus is the TRUTH and that He is LOVE! He’s convinced (James 2:19). And we should be convinced, too.
Here’s some good news! Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33)! As children of God, we have the ability in Christ Jesus to walk in His love, wisdom and power every day. The bible tells us that “peace” is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We can seek, ask and walk fully in the peace of Christ! Amen!
Got Questions has a wonderful article on what the bible has to say about “peace.” The Got Questions article may be read HERE.
If you are willing, LET’S PRAY! Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray that You would help us to grow and stand strong in our faith, without wavering, and that we would learn to trust You more fully every day! Take away the fear and anxiousness which so easily ensnare us as we go about our days, and give us Your peace, the peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-8). Help us to see each other as You see us, as Your children. May we never lose the desire to share the gospel so that all who will, will believe upon the name of Jesus and be saved! Thank You, Father, for Your faithfulness, goodness and patience in our lives! Amen!
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NKJV)
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Philippians 4:6-8 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
1 Corinthians 2:15-16 (ESV)
“The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct [H]im?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”
John 15:26 (NKJV)
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me [Jesus].”
Ephesians 2:1-2 (NKJV)
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air [emphasis mine], the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…”.
John 10:10 (NKJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”
James 2:19 (NKJV)
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”
John 16:33 (NKJV)
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace [emphasis mine], longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Philippians 4:6-8 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!