#definedivinepeace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”—John14:27 From this opening text, the Lord Jesus himself tells us that he leaves his peace with us. In other words, every believer has access to Christ, the divine’s peace. Then he went further to tell us that the kind of peace he gives to us is not as the world or the things of the world gives. This means divine peace is different from natural peace. The divine peace the Lord gives believers is a perfect peace. It is a permanent peace. Unlike the world’s kind of peace, God’s kind of peace is unconditional. Christ’s peace is accessible in times of good goings as well as in times of adversity.  But on the other hand, the peace of the world is incomplete. It is a mixed feeling. In the world, someone may be peaceful in one facet of life, while in a great turmoil in another area of life… As such, the peace is only short lived. All around the world, people seek for peace-- especially the peace of mind in several ways, to no avail. Some seek it through hard drugs. Some through financial wealth. While others through academic and spiritual practices… …such as self-help and new age practices. But in all these, there is no true peace. True peace or rest of the spirit and the soul of man is only accessible in Christ Jesus. And this is why the Lord cries out always to mankind; “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”—Matthew 11:28.  For so many generations, the Lord keeps on making this clarion call of grace to mankind for peace. As he calls, a greater number of people continually refuse the call.  Many others accept the call but never experience the peace or rest. Then a fewer number of those who answer the call, actually experience this divine peace. This is not supposed to be so. Everyone that heeds to Jesus’ call to peace ought to enjoy the rest of God… But in reality it’s not so. And from the Lord’s word, it is clear that the rest he gives may not be enjoyed by every believer. In the last part of the opening text, the Lord instructs us not to let our hearts be troubled, or let it be afraid. This last part of his statement in that verse, explains why many believers do not enjoy the peace of God. Because many believers still let their hearts to be troubled and also let their hearts to be afraid. And this, regardless of the Lord’s instruction. The Lord gives us his peace. In other words, he makes his peace available and accessible to every believer… But it is the choice and responsibility of the believer to keep his heart from troubles and fear. And to keep our hearts from trouble and fear, we need to engage some scriptural secrets…  The Secrets of Divine Peace To keep our hearts from trouble and fears; and enjoy divine peace, below are the scriptural secrets: Redemptive Faith in Christ Jesus: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”—Matthew 11:28. The number one access to divine peace is being born again in Christ Jesus, by repentance and faith. Redemptive faith in Christ Jesus, gives the repentant sinner access to divine rest of heart and mind. Trust in God: “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”—Isaiah 26:3.  Our first point talks about the redemptive faith which gives us access to divine peace. But then to enjoy the perfect peace, we need to live a lifestyle of faith in God. The scripture above says God keeps the person, whose mind stays on God in perfect peace. Because he trusts in God. So trusting in God for all things helps us enjoy the perfect peace of God in our lives. Because trust in God removes fear and trouble from our hearts and minds. Righteousness and Uprightness: “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever”—Isaiah 32:17. Sin is the major reason for the troubles and fears in the heart of men. Anyone that indulges in any form of unrighteousness consistently can never have peace of heart or mind…  Even if he is already a believer in Christ Jesus. But on the other hand, according to our text, the work of righteousness (righteous living) gives peace. And its effect is quietness and assurance forever. Casting Your Care on God: “Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts in Christ Jesus”—Philippians 4:6-7. This is one of the major secrets of divine peace. Being careful (worries and anxiety) is the major reason why many believers lack peace in Christ. They allow their hearts to be troubled by the cares of this life. But if we must enjoy the peace of Christ in our hearts and minds, we must throw our cares on God. Through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Prayers and Supplication: “I exhort  therefore, that, first of all supplication, prayers, intercession, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty”—1Timothy 2:1-2. Here the Lord tells us through the Apostle Paul, that for us to lead quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty… we should supplicate, pray, intercede, and thank God for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority. So we can enjoy divine peace by prayers and intercession for people and leaders. Divine Wisdom: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding… she is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her…her ways are the ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace”—Proverbs 3: 13, 15, 17 We see here that another way to access divine peace is to be walking in divine wisdom. When we receive divine wisdom in any area of life, we enjoy divine peace in that area. For Example, when we ask and receive wisdom from God concerning our marriage, we enjoy perfect peace in our matrimonial homes. Meekness: “But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace”—Psalm 37:11 Meekness talks about humility or lowliness of heart and mind. And in the above quoted scripture, the Lord says the meek shall inherit the earth. And they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. So to enjoy divine peace in your life, you must be humble or lowly in heart and mind. In conclusion, there is perfect peace in Christ Jesus. And it’s available and accessible to every believer in Christ Jesus. But to practically experience this divine peace in our hearts and minds, we need: Trust in God, Righteousness, Prayer and Intercession, divine wisdom and meekness. Remain Blessed! Emeke Odili   Read the full article