THE PEACE OF CHRIST GIVEN TO YOU

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid . . . These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace . . . Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ" (John 14:27,33; Rom 1:7)

Devotion 5 of 12

PEACE FROM JESUS CHRIST

The relationship of peace to Jesus Christ cannot be overstated. This is not a peace that is merely "taught" by men. It cannot be effected by an understanding of words and a perception of historical or theological circumstance. There is a personal transfer of this peace from Christ to you. What is more, this is a point of Scriptural emphasis. The Holy spirit moved holy men to remind the people of God of this marvelous circumstance--experiencing peace FROM the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace is intended for those who are loved by God and are called to be holy ones, or saints. "To ALL that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace FROM God our Father, and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Romans 1:7).

Paul was careful in his salutation to the Corinthians. While he did deal with several unique circumstances that existed there, the benefits he announced were for "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." To such he writes, Grace be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:3). Again, he addressed all saints throughout the region of Achai. "Grace be to you and peace FROM God our Father, and from THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (2 Corinthians 1:2).

The letter to the Galatians was written to a multiplicity of congregations: i.e. "the churches in Galatia." To them all he writes, "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and FROM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Galatians 1:3).

Not only "the saints which are in Ephesus," but all "the faithful in Christ Jesus," were reminded of this truth. "Grace be to you, and peace, FROM God our Father, and FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Ephesians 1:2).

When addressing the "saints in Christ Jesus which are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons, " the Spirit first spoke of a benefit belonging to them all. "Grace be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father, and FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Philippians 1:2).

Those who had been set apart for God in Colossae were reminded they were "complete" in Christ Jesus (Col 2:10). However, they had not yet experienced all of that completeness. That is why Paul wrote, "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colossae: Grace be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Colossians 1:2).

Believers in Thessalonica were reminded of their position "IN" God and "IN" Christ Jesus. Then, they were informed of the peace belonging to them. "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father, and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (1 Thessalonians 1:1). "Grace unto you, and peace, FROM God our Father and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (2 Thessalonians 1:2).

Timothy is one of the most unique young men in Scripture. During the first century, when some imagine that pristine purity existed in the church, Paul said of Timothy: "For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (Phil 2:20-21). How do you write to a young man with such endearing qualities? You tell him of something coming from God and Christ. "Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, FROM God our Father and JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (1 Timothy 1:2). "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, FROM God the Father and CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD" (2 Timothy 1:2).

Philemon was especially dear to Paul, and was a fellow worker with him. Together with Apphia and Archippus, and the church meeting in his house, Paul wrote, "Grace to you, and peace, FROM God our Father and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Philemon 1:3).

The intensely personal nature of the bestowment of peace was accentuated to the church in Thessalonica. Not only is there an "abundance of peace" (Psa 37:11; Jer 33:6), it is given to us by the Lord Himself always, and by all means. "Now THE LORD OF PEACE HIMSELF give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all" (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

All of the resources required to live unto the Lord are supplied by God and Christ. By saying they are from God, the Spirit is emphasizing they are in strict accord with His salvation and intention for us. By saying they come from Christ, the mediatorial role of the Savior is emphasized. We need Jesus just as much after we are born again as we did before.

The Scriptures make plain that peace, combined with love and faith, come to us from God and Christ. They are not human developments, nor are they automatically associated with us. "PEACE be to the brethren, and love with faith, FROM God the Father and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Ephesians 6:23). It is a tragedy that so few believers are being apprised of these things.

Peace, like all spiritual benefits, is received during our walk with Christ. Stilted theology notwithstanding, those who walk at a distance from Christ will NOT experience this peace. We have been "called into the fellowship" of God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor 1:9). No spiritual benefit can be realized apart from that fellowship. Realizing this has a lot of ramifications, I admonish you to ponder the availability of peace from Jesus, together with your need for it.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ my Lord, for the abundant affirmation and ministration of peace from You and Your Son. I acknowledge my need of this peace, and confess to its adequacy and satisfying qualities.

-- TOMORROW: THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT --