True Peace–Brian Gates

  Posted on August 14, 2022  by   No comments

We live in a day and age where technology has benefitted our lives in ways unimaginable throughout
human history. The material quality and conveniences enjoyed today have never been greater. Yet, our
world is still a tumultuous one. Wars, political tensions, viruses, the economy. The list goes on. And
that’s on top of the generally frantic pace of modern life. With all our learnings and strivings and
technological advancement, the world has not produced lasting political peace let alone real peace in
the human soul.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
As part of His last teachings to the disciples before His crucifixion, Jesus gives them a promise of
receiving His peace. True peace. Soul-satisfying peace. Jesus even explains that this is something the
world can never give.

It should not be missed that in the verse preceding this one Jesus also promised to send a Helper- the
Holy Spirit. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all
things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” John 14:26. It is no coincidence that
these verses are part of the same text. The Holy Spirit is doing that sanctifying work within us. Those
who set their mind on the Spirit have life and peace (Rom 8:6). Peace is a part of the fruit of the Spirit
(Gal 5:22-23).

To know this promised peace of God, however, we must first have peace with God. The apostle Paul
describes the natural man as being at enmity (or hatred) with God (Rom 8:7). That doesn’t sound very
conducive to peace. What is to be done about that? Earlier in the book of Romans, Paul clearly
articulates how this is remedied.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in
hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2, emphasis mine).

By faith, we must believe in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Though Him, justice for our sin is
perfectly satisfied. When we trust in the saving work of Jesus, we are no longer separated from Him. We
have peace with our Lord. That is both awesome and truly humbling.

Though wars will continue to be waged and the storms of life will continue to pound, we graciously find
peace and refuge for our soul (Phil 4:7). In Christ we can rest, no matter the circumstance.

I’m reminded of the immense suffering and loss experienced by Horatio Spafford. In his grief he penned
the great and familiar hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” Consider the first couple of verses:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

That is a soul that knows the peace of Christ!
By the grace of Christ, we also rejoice with Paul “in hope of the glory of God.” The day will come when
there will be peace everlasting. Later in the hymn Spafford reminds us that one day “the trump shall
resound, and the Lord shall descend.” Our Prince of Peace will return in glory, and the world will be set
aright.

Brian Gates