Peace

In John 14:27, Jesus said, 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."  So, how does this work?  How is the peace Jesus offers differ from the world's?

Peace in the world means to be free of strife.  The struggle is over, the conflict is resolved, the tension is dissipated.  Peace, from a worldly perspective, has to do with activity.  It means that which wears on the flesh and troubles the heart is resolved.  There is nothing to fear for there is no longer any threat or battle ongoing.

Jesus, on the other hand, does not promise a life free of struggle, conflict or tension.  Quite the opposite, His Word insures that "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12).  Obviously then, the peace Jesus leaves with us does not have to do with what is going on around us or even to us, it has to do with what is going on within us.

When Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be trouble, trust in God and trust also in me" (Jn 14:1), two things are affirmed: 1) There would be things happening to trouble us and 2) there would be power for internal peace in the midst of the trouble.  We would have trouble but God would be there along side of us.  That is His peace, a peace that exists smack dab in middle of trouble.

The basis of His Peace is not the absence of the struggle but the presence of the Savior.  As written in the Book of Hebrews, "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid" (13:6).  While the storms of life may rage around us, the Spirit of Christ resides within us affording us "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (Phil 4:7).  Jus' Say'n.