Jesus Gives Us His Peace Series

We long for Peace and the Angels praised God about the Peace He was giving to His people. In their praise to God the angels exclaimed:

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

But we live in fearful times. How can we have peace when our hearts are fearful? Fear robs people of peace. Fear of an uncertain future. Fear about our next meal. Fear that the government will take away all we have. Fear the economy will collapse. Fear that we will face more rioting in the streets and fear that the COVID will strike, and we fear death and of dying.

Let’s put into context what the angels said in praise to God in what they said to those frighten shepherds:

Luke 2:9–10 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

Don’t be afraid – there is good news. I don’t know about you but there are many times I sure can use some good news. The angels brought good news about the Prince of Peace being born in Bethlehem. There is a correlation between fear and lack of peace. How can you have peace in your soul if your heart is fearful.

In Jesus’ farewell discourse to His disciples the night before he went to the cross (found in John 13-16), Jesus said the following:

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

This question was once asked, "If you could choose what you want most in life, what would you ask for?" The most common answer was "Peace." People want peace in their marriages, families, workplaces, country and world. Our country has some of the best medical and psychological treatment centers, highest educational institutions and worldwide communication abilities. Yet with all of these things, most people are yet without true inner peace. The results are devastating... broken marriages, split families, hatred, rebellion, financial anxiety, a country unsettled and divided.

What is the peace that the world offers? The world will offer you peace through many forms of escapism... drugs, alcohol, immoral relationships, constant entertainment. It is sought through all forms of pleasure, self-satisfaction and positive thinking. Many believe that peace is defined as the absence of trouble. They refuse to face the problems in their lives believing that this is finding peace. The world, however, has never held the answer to true peace.

You can choose to have true peace. True peace comes not from man but from God. This peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit spoken of in Galatians 5: 22. (Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy Peace, etc.) This peace means to be in harmony with God, to be bound, joined and woven together with God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

It also means to be assured of, confident of and secure in the love and care of God. There is a consciousness and a sure trust that God will provide, guide, strengthen, sustain, encourage, deliver and save completely those who seek Him with all their hearts. This supernatural peace comes first and foremost from receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. Second, it comes from a knowledge of God's Word.

The Apostle Paul knew this peace. He suffered greatly because of his love for the Lord, love for God's truth and because of his commitment to the commission given to him by Jesus Christ. Yet in all this, his heart was kept in perfect peace. He had been imprisoned, stoned, left for dead and scourged by the Romans, and yet he said in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Note the conditions of knowing God's peace: 1.) You must love God, and 2.) you must be called according to His purpose, which means fitting into His plan and into His perfect will for your life.

Most reject God's peace because they surrender to their own selfishness and their lust for the pleasures of this world. [1]

Jesus said, (in John 14:27) "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you." A legacy of inner peace is offered to all who know Jesus Christ, regardless of their circumstances. Notice Jesus said “My peace.” Just what is this peace that Jesus possesses and is giving to us? Paul knew that peace. He wrote of it in his letter to the Philippians: