Perfect Peace

When things fall apart; when your heart is in deep anguish and pain; when the road is hefty; when life is a drag; when we turn the other cheek and are unable to utter a word and we ponder on the wretched things we have done and that have been done to us; when light seems to fade and our hearts are torn apart like rags that have been ripped into small pieces; and when no peace can be found in this world, there is but one pathway, and that pathway is Christ. Yes, there is none who can truly understand us apart from the One who created us and who is the “Author and Finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2). The Lord Jesus says, “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” “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.” (John 16:33; 14:27).

Surely, the words of the Lord give us comfort. Man can never give us the peace of mind that Christ gives. There are certain things in our lives that no one can either understand or fill the emptiness in our hearts. If there is emptiness in our lives, I urge you to turn to Him and welcome Him into your lives so that you may receive the peace that this world cannot give. The peace in Jesus Christ cannot be bought or sold. His promises are certain and He does not change; He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Christ Himself calls and invites us, saying, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Mathew 11:28).

The peace that Christ gives is like a brook that never runs dry and it seeks to water other fields. There is a need for us to have that peace and allow it to manifest itself in our lives and that it will dwell continuously among the believers in Christ, the Son of God. I say this not just because I wish to justify what I know to be true based on my past experiences, but because it is the truth that in Christ alone you can expect to discover the kingdom of God here on earth. When you have found Him, you have found the riches of heaven and truly the “Kingdom of God” has come to you. (Read Matthew 13:44- 46; Luke 17:21)

Remember the words of Jesus that says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mathew 6:33) Before Christ spoke these words, He instructs us not to worry as others worry about the things pertaining to this world. (Read Matthew 6:24-32). Christ spoke these things, because He wants to impress in our hearts that the things that this world has to offer us cannot truly satisfy or make us happy. Happiness and the cessation of anxiety is solely based on the fact that one finds the “kingdom of God” and “His righteousness;” and these things consists in Christ.

My fellow believers, since the day you have accepted Christ, have you received the peace that is unlike the peace that you find in this world? If we have not tasted this peace that Christ talks about and have promised, it goes to show that we have not yet fully surrendered our lives to Him that He might usher and fashion it in our lives. Perhaps, our decision to believe or to follow rests on the notion that we are following the truth. Or perhaps, we follow out of fear. It can also be that we are born and brought up in a Christian home but at the same time we have not experienced the presence and the peace of Christ as the “Comforter.” If this is our experience, then we will not be able to stand firm and we will drift away when great trials come.

Here is an extract from a Hindi song which I have translated which, in my personal opinion, sums up the subject matter:

The love of Christ is for one and all,

for one and all,

Invite your parents, and invite with love,

O come, O come,

Call your sisters and brothers,

call with love,

O Come, O Come.

Invite all your neighbours,

O come, O come,

The love of Christ is for one and all,

for one and all.”

*******