“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
One of my favorite Bible passages is Isaiah 53:5. It reads thus: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Take note of the phrase, “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him.” Bible in Basic English renders it as “he took the punishment by which we have peace.” What this tells us is that Christ’s death was not only to remove our sins; it was also for our peace.
The first thing sin took away from the world was peace: peace with God and peace within. And it is the first thing that Christ restores to Man through salvation. When a man finds peace with God, the result is definitely peace within. This peace, a state of untroubled, undisturbed well being, is the proof of salvation. Isaiah 53:5 reveals that Jesus died for Man to be at peace both with God and with Himself.
One Bible teacher describes this peace as “…the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ…” This is not mere, ordinary peace; the world cannot give this peace. It is complete freedom from all the distresses experienced as a result of sin.
This peace is characterized by three things: Firstly, it makes a man fear nothing from God on the Day of Judgment. Secondly, it makes a man content with his earthly lot, whatever that is. Thirdly, it is freedom from all the disturbances and agitation of mind and heart brought about by sin; a quietness of mind and conscience.
Only Christ can give this peace!
The New Living Translation puts our study text this way: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” You must understand that He was punished that we could have peace. He didn’t pay only for our sins to be forgiven; He procured and secured our peace as well.
If you have been lacking the peace of God, here is something the Holy Spirit wants you to know: Peace of mind is your right in Christ! God does not want any of His children to be troubled or afraid. Satan has no right to harass your mind or your emotions any longer; don’t give him a place. Receive the peace of God!
Let us pray: I thank you Lord for all you did on the cross for me. I receive your peace now. By the authority of the Name of the Lord Jesus, I banish the spirit of confusion. I cast out every mental and emotional distress from my heart and life. I ask You dear Lord to fill me now with Your joy and peace that I may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen!
Wishing all our readers a very Happy Happy Sunday