January 10, 2023 – Reflections on “Peace, I Leave With 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 hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27.

      You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4.

       What is Peace? And how do we achieve Peace? Where do we find Peace? Its author is Jesus Christ. (John 14:27) It is an attitude of the mind that comes from Jesus, teaching us to love one another. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34. This then signifies Peace.

         Belonging to Jesus and not still not fully understanding knowing Him without fear, I read this: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

        We love because He first loved us. I John 4:18-19.

        When we receive the Holy Spirit, after believing and being baptized, we are given the fruit of the Spirit. First is Love, the second is Joy, and the third of the nine is Peace. Without Love, we will not understand the meaning of this verse. I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3. This was written by Paul, who persecuted Christians and was called by God to be His Servant.

        The word peace in Hebrew is ‘eirene’ and refers to rest and tranquility. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mathew 11:28-29.

        The world cannot bring rest that is ‘soul-deep’. Can you imagine the Shepherds in the field, and they heard this message proclaimed! And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14. This is how the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, was announced.

        The Lord’s prayer that Jesus taught His disciples begins… Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10.

            How can we please God? And above all, these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15.

         When my Dad lay in the hospital after one of his heart attacks, Mother announced she was going home to sleep. Astonished, I wondered how she could sleep during this time of angst. She explained, In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8.

         The ability to believe the teachings of Jesus, and fully trust Him when things seem to not be going well or according to our plans. Then we remember that not our plans, but His will be done. Have you ever asked, What can I learn from this? After my fall, I asked, “What’s next, God?” I learned.

        Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

       Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:1-4.

         What is needed in this world today? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9. One beatitude that Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount. Reading and listening with your heart, tells us how to live a life that is pleasing to God. (Matthew in Chapters, 5, 6, and 7.)

       When we belong to the Lord, we must be aware of our enemy. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. I Peter 5:7-8.

         You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45.

          Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2.

        Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry. Psalm 34:13-15.

          There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:9-11.