- (John 14:27) 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.
- (Colossians 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Hello, Friends. This exhortation is the subject of whose peace to embrace — God’s, the world’s, or worldly minded church folks.
Let’s start by looking at two definitions — “troubled, afraid” from John 14:27, above.
The word TROUBLED means, “to agitate, i.e., to disturb (someone), or to try to get them to oppose something” … AFRAID means, “timid” and refers to “one who feels or shows a lack of courage or confidence.”
Many (if not all) of us experienced at one time or another a lack of courage or confidence. We deal (and have dealt) with people who seem to specialize in disturbing our peace so that we might turn our backs against God to revenge those agitating irritants …but… our retaliation can/will cause them to speak evil of the Lord and attempt to shoot down our faith in Him. You know who I’m talking about—family, peers, bosses, false brethren … the whole shebang of the enemies of the cross of Christ.
I am reminded that David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6).
So, let’s look at some encouraging scriptures:
- (Psalm 18:6) In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
- (Psalm 34:4) I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- (Psalm 37:37) Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
- (Psalm 42:11) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
- (Proverbs 18:10) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
- (Romans 8:31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
- (Hebrews 13:6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Isn’t it comforting to know that God is a very present help in time of need and He will deliver us from all our fears — He strengthens us to remember who He is as the psalmist wrote about himself above, why are you cast down, O my soul? … hope in God … He is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalm 42:11).
Learn to call upon the Lord to help in time of need so that He will enable you to stand and fight the good fight of faith. We cannot allow anyone to cause us to stand in opposition to what God said. Besides, we are not authorized to revenge ourselves — that’s the Lord’s job.
The Lord moved on Paul to write for our comfort and confidence in Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
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Here’s another point to be encouraged and strengthened by what Jesus said — His sheep do not follow strangers (John 10:5). Here is something I learned over the years about this scripture, and that is, once I found out that what a person said did not come from God, or did not line up with God’s word, I ceased to listen to them and turned away … never to consider another word from them. Why? “…their word will eat as doth a canker…” (2 Timothy 2:17) … and the word “canker” is “gangrene” in this scripture. Wow!
We know that gangrene is so treacherous that if, for instance, the smallest fraction of it were found in a baby toe … the entire foot would need to be amputated. Its poison spreads quickly and mercilessly. Therefore, “…shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” — 2 Timothy 2:16
False preachers are more deadly than mass murderers with guns, bombs, or other fatalities — because all followers of false preachers are guilty of unbelief and (if the follower fails to repent and escape the false preacher, they) shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8).
Be very courageous … do not cast away your confidence in the Lord … it has a great recompense of reward (Hebrews 10:35).
Also be mindful that, the “timid” are the fearful according to Revelation 21:8 — they shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone….
Remember, the end of the perfect and upright man is peace, therefore, submit to the peace of God — and let His peace rule in our hearts. In other words, let His peace umpire our decision making so that we will say and do the things which are pleasing in His sight.
Do not allow yourself to be agitated or become timid by what the world …and… worldly minded church folks have to offer. Know and understand that, the end result of the peace of God will be eternal life. But, the end result of the peace of the world and worldly minded church folks will be eternal judgment.
Today … which PEACE will you choose?
He/She who hath an ear to hear, let them hear.