The Peace of Christ and the Peace of the World
Good Morning Friends,
Jesus came to set the captives free and that is exactly what this amazing man, this improbable God brings to the disciples in the upper room after the Resurrection. The disciples are in fear and Jesus brings the gift that sets them free. The promised Messiah offers an open door relationship. The experience takes a while for them to process what this is all about, but once they do… wow everything breaks out. And so too for us who welcome the Holy Spirit and receive a solid and endless presence and purpose. You see the Holy Spirit is much different from the temporary trust in the tranquility of purchased power or the momentary madness of money. It is the essence of Peace in the form of a Person. The Holy Spirit gives us a choice to share in this expansive reality of the Divine presence. We are given the options of The Peace of Christ and the Peace of the World.
Scripture: For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:15-25 (NRSV)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 (NIV)
Message: One of the greatest desires of mankind is peace but there are many false trails to follow until we realize that it is a person we seek. The world in which we live is an anxious one, continually being filled full with fear and doubt. The way of the world seeks the temporary joy of things to the point of addiction. These emotions imprison us in a cup with a hole in it. And just as our wine runs out…just as the disciples were crying in their emptiness, Jesus show up with a miracle. And so too in our lives as in the disciples’, Jesus offers us a Holy Cup that overflows with peace, love and purpose. Jesus comes to us as the disciples with a life changing gift. And it is here we discover that
the Peace of Christ is a person that no one can take away from us…a purposeful love so strong it lasts forever. And this Holy Spirit person is offering us something the world claims but fails to give… longevity of comfort…the hope of growth into future glory with a present, persistent purpose. Friends, the peace offered by the world is so fleeting. It turns to rust. It leaks out. The peace of money, power and vanity vanishes. It is so superficial. Yes, the Peace of Christ is a relationship of love that never fails in giving help when asked. Friends, if you have this peace, if the Holy Spirit is within you, and you are aware of this, then do not let your heart be troubled.
The presence of the Spirit will make our hearts be at peace. Receive and rejoice in the peace Jesus offers and gives to you and to me. Choose wisely the cup of Christ.
Pray we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit like a child. Pray we receive it without conditions. Pray we receive the gift of this relationship with an open heart not imprisoning the gift or by speculating its value, owning it as a commodity. Pray we realize that we take custody of the Holy Spirit to share it in prayer. Pray we grow in the fruit of this prayer, to produce the fruits of faith, love and service. Pray at each point again and again we discover the path of peace. Pray the Holy Spirit hold us and keep us cool when emotions get hot. Pray we count the Holy Spirit a Friend of our Faith. Pray we move from pieces to peace. Pray we experience the love of the author of love. Pray we experience a love that castes out fear. Pray we are renewed as the Holy Spirit’s peace rules in us all the days of our lives.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 