by: Shirley Mathis
In today’s society, we watch or listen to the news and we hear about systemic racism, defund the police, mass shootings, hate crimes and the list goes on. There is confusion, hatred, violence and chaos.
However, we are not of this world because of who we are in Christ; The Bible clearly states that in His Word. John 15:19 says “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” Our identity is in Christ. Period. Yet we tend to steal the world’s identity: their fear, hatred and chaos and take it upon ourselves. Why?Because we equate ourselves with our past (before Christ) and take upon that past life instead of the Peace that God desires for us to have, regardless of what we are up against. Colossians 3:15 (“Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.”)
We should reach out and grab the peace that God has given us and make an effort for the peace of God to rule in our lives.
According to the Webster dictionary, in a larger sense, peace (or peacefulness) can mean a state of harmony, quiet or calm that is not disturbed by anything at all, like a still pond with no ripples. Who wouldn’t want this? This is why we need the Peace of God.Does anyone desire that type of peace?
In the New Testament, the primary Greek word for “peace” is eirene, and it refers to rest and tranquility.
God does what He does because of His Love for us. He pursues us like no one else. He was the one who took the initiative to pursue peace by sending Jesus to this earth.
The angel’s words to the shepherds on that first Christmas were “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14). With whom God is pleased? God’s pleasure and peace rest upon those who receive God’s son by faith(John 1:12)” Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”(Romans 5:1) (Reference is from gotquestions.org)
Having peace in our lives means that we will allow the Peace of God to rule in our lives, hearts and minds completely. We need to exist in the eye of the storm where there is chaos that surrounds us. In the eye of the storm, there is calmness and on the outside of it, there is a building up of fury that is about to happen. There should be the peace that rules over us, even though there might be intense circumstances surrounding us.
As some of you may know, in April I had a mild heart attack. When the attack came on there was fear, anxiousness, and worry all wrapped into one. I did not know what was going on, but I did know it was serious and I thought that I might be experiencing a heart attack. Yet, I knew God was in control of this. Upon arriving at the emergency room, I began to feel the peace of God in me. I was able to escape the fury of the storm, and the fear and live in the eye of Christ with His peace.
God’s peace is a condition or state of being which gives rise to the blessings of prosperity. It is, not just a sense of well-being, but well-being itself, given to the believer from God. Being at peace brings with it contentment, harmony, order, fulfillment is experienced in our lives.
Remember that!The peace that God gives us rest and tranquility.Since we are justified through Christ we have peace.We need peace to rule our hearts and minds
I encourage you to aim for His peace on a daily basis. It gives us serenity, calmness, and just knowing deep in our Spirit that Christ is in us. “Greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world.” 1John 4:4
#Peace #encouragement #wordofencouragement #Colossians #Romans #Luke #John #1John #EncouragementforAugust #beencouraged #ShirleyMathis