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 6 of 12

THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Before Jesus returned to heaven, He told His disciples He would send the Comforter, or Counselor, which is the Holy Spirit. One of the ministries performed by the Spirit is taking the things of Christ and giving them to believers (John 16:15). While there was a unique ministry the Holy Spirit had to the Apostles, His indispensable work was not confined to them. He would work through their word as well as through their persons.

In confirmation of this, Jesus prayed, "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:19-21). The sanctification of believers through the truth, therefore, was not confined to the Apostles, but to also to those believing in Christ through their word. The glorious unity between the Father, Son, and those who are sanctified, was not confined to the Apostles, but included those who believed in Christ through their word. There can be no higher affirmation of this than is found in Christ's prayer to the Father. The Holy Spirit is the One through whom these things were brought to pass.

In this same way Jesus gives us peace--through the Spirit of God. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy IN THE HOLY SPIRIT" (Romans 14:17). The phrase "in the Holy Spirit" emphasizes that the He implements the qualities that characterize the Kingdom of God. This kingdom is not evidenced by correctness of procedure, or by a disciplined life. The Lord provides us with a three-dimensional view of His kingdom. Regarding our STANDING before God, it is evidenced by "righteousness." Touching our STABILITY in a hostile world, it is revealed by "peace." Viewed from the standpoint of its IMPACT upon the human spirit, it is characterized by "joy." The Holy Spirit plays a key role in all of these things.

This association of the Spirit with spiritual attainments is also declared in Romans 15:13. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Peace is also affirmed to be the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22. As with all essentialities in salvation, benefits come from God, because of Jesus, and through the Holy spirit.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I confess my need of Your peace, and thank You in Jesus' name for providing it in abundance.

-- TOMORROW: THE RELATION OF PEACE TO BELIEVING --