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"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." (John 14:27 ESV)
This verse was spoken first to His apostles and tells of a peace which Jesus expects to bring into their lives, and subsequently any disciple with a relationship with Him. It is given as a gift to those who can accept it. His Peace, comes with Hope via the agency of the Holy Spirit (See Romans 15:13). In the giving of forgiveness the Holy Spirit will not seek to enchant or enslave us because He knows we all mess up and so His Grace is given (See Acts 2:38, Romans 3:24). Like a non-returnable gift it can be lost, forgotten, mistrusted but not ungiven.
What does Jesus bring every time He comes to visit? Perhaps I should say what can we come to recognise as a signal of the presence of Jesus with us as we call upon Him day by day (See Romans 10:13)?
Jesus brings peace with His presence in any situation (See Luke 24:36). We seem to make acceptance of His gift more difficult than it need be if we can let go of our doubts (See John 16:33).
How many of us when faced with trauma, conflict, pain, sorrow, grief can honestly say that we know the “peace of God which surpasses all understanding” through our circumstances (See Philippians 4:7)? Truly this is a gift of God.
Apparently, it is not an easy gift that just falls into your lap – at least for me, it can be a struggle to let go of my control, ownership and agendas with living in the truth of receiving it daily. Life and living in the world - has a tendency to assail His Peace (See Romans 12:2).
Sadly our fallen-ness, our corrupted nature and mind-set wherever it be grounded: fears, doubts, pride, or lack of trust and belief in a Jesus who truly does Love messed up little old me and wants to abide in us (See John 15:5).
In the Old Testament peace was a part of the agreement made between God and the people of Israel. The peace offering was given to restore a harmonious relationship with God (YHWH) (See Exodus 20:24 and Numbers 6:26).
In the New Testament Jesus makes this offering obsolete (See Hebrews 8:13) but continues the agreement. So anyone who becomes a disciple, believes in Jesus and becomes a part of the community of the children of God (See John 1:12) can seek and find His Peace and presence (See Matthew 7:7-8). This is in contrast to those who do not believe in Jesus because they have become blinded by worldliness to the Peace of God (See 2 Corinthians 4:4).
So the choice today is ours: To ask Jesus in or carry on regardless!
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20 ESV)
Prayer: Come LORD Jesus bring Your Peace, amen.
Rod Marshall
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