For The Kingdom: Joy-Filled Living In Difficult Days | Day 60
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9
You cannot know the peace of God until you know the God of peace.
Warren Mainard
Do you want the peace of God? Imagine a peace that is so palpable and powerful it transcends the intellect and astounds the astute. This supernatural peace is available and accessible to guard your heart from depression, anger, low self-esteem and manipulated emotions and protect your mind from anxiety, worry, stress and mental overload. Who wouldn’t want this kind of peace? Ah, but to receive this gift, you must receive its giver, the God of peace.
Consider the great lengths the God of peace has gone to in order to equip you with everything you need to do His will… “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will.” Hebrews 13:20. The peace of God is an outcome of the sanctifying and purifying work of Christ in our lives. “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
The peace of God is a gift from the God of peace. The peace of God cannot guard our hearts until we first allow the God of peace to rule our hearts. “let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” Colossians 3:15. Peter instructs believers similarly, “in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” 1 Peter 3:15
3 Self-Diagnostic Questions For The Person Seeking The Peace of God
1. Are you actively experiencing the peace of God in your heart and mind?
If the answer is yes, “Rejoice!”Thank God for all He has done and continue to abide in Christ. If the answer is no, do not lose hope, because this peace is a promise and God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Continue to the next question.
2. Have you received the God of peace by making Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord?
There is no other way to know the peace of God than through faith in Jesus Christ. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10. Salvation through Jesus Christ is more than saying a prayer, it is truly surrendering your core essence to Christ, turning from your self-directed sinful ways and with open and empty hands receiving “the free gift of God (which) is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
3. Are you allowing Christ to rule your heart in holy surrender to Him?
You may wonder, “I am a Christian, why am I not experiencing greater levels of Christ’s peace?” This is a valid question, as Christ Himself told His disciples, “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. Lack of peace in the heart of a Christian believer may be the result of a wide variety of reasons. It may be because you have become disconnected from Christ and you are no longer abiding in Him through daily prayer and time in His Word. You may be hiding unconfessed sin, or actively living in sin in an area of your life. If you are harboring bitterness or unforgiveness in your heart, you will not have peace. It may be that your thought life is being invaded with unholy and unhealthy content, images and messages through social media, entertainment or worldly influences. You may be allowing fear to overtake your faith in different areas of your life. Whatever the reason, the answer is to return your heart to a place of holy surrender before Christ- “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3
When you live fully in the truth that the God of peace is with you, the peace of God will not be far behind.
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