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 7 of 12

THE RELATION OF PEACE TO BELIEVING

The presence of faith is essential to the realization of peace. Unbelief produces a spiritual environment in which peace cannot be received or survive. Faith, on the other hand, makes peace invincible. It will "rule" in the believing person, keeping both heart and mind from distracting agitation (Col 3;15; Phil 4:7). No circumstance or consideration, however weighty, can dislodge peace from the heart dominated by a belief of the truth and trust in the Lord.

When Jesus "dwelt among us" (John 1:14), several of His miracles revealed the association of faith with peace. The sinful woman who anointed Jesus, washing His feet and wiping them with her hair, received blessing from the Savior. To her He said, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Lk 7:50). The woman healed of an issue of blood through the touching of His garment was told, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" (Lk 8:48). Faith brought the indispensable blessing of peace, as well as the healing of the body.

In our justification, peace and faith are again united. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:1-2). The peace that we have with God has a powerful influence upon our heart and mind, calming our spirits in a troubled world. With it comes an acute realization that "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31).

But even our faith is inadequate to the challenge of living in this world without God. God Himself fills us with peace because of our faith. "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). Your faith is what provokes God to fill you with peace! What is more, only He can cause this filling to occur. It does not come as a result of study, or from the mere disciplining of the mind. Only faith can apprehend and please God, opening the door of blessing.

This is a rational filling (although not merely rational), not a fleshly or emotional one. In it our thinking is affected, and our reasoning stabilized. Peace enables the believer to squarely face great difficulties with calmness and serenity, knowing that God is working all things together for our good (Rom 8:28).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Christ, I thank you for both faith and peace. I know they have come from You, and that they are prompted by Your grace. I acknowledge You as their Source, and praise You for them.

-- TOMORROW: MANAGING OUR AFFECTION --