Exceptional Peace
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). What kind of peace is the “my peace” Christ spoke of?
Scriptures promise that when “death” happens to the Christian, your soul and spirit leave your mortal body, and move up to Paradise in the third level of Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).
You will be absent from the body, and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Although none of us desires sickness and pain, yet knowing that death brings us to Heaven offers a sense of peace.
“Peace” is defined as contentment and completeness in safety, health, prosperity, and relationships with family, friends, and God. Deep-down peace is felt in the heart, mind, body, spirit, and soul.
A certain level of peace comes through working a job you enjoy which pays your bills and even allows you to build up a “nest egg” savings for a secure future.
Having hospitalization and life insurance brings a certain amount of peace.
Peace includes getting along well with your spouse, children, relatives, friends, co-workers, and pets: spending enjoyable quality time with them, accomplishing goals, communicating, playing, laughing.
Having peace includes time for yourself: reading, hobbies, exercise.
Peace includes saying “Goodbye” to unhealthy habits, eating healthy food, doing exercise, and weight management. Peace comes with having favorable medical examination results, and when the dentist says, “No cavities.”
For the Christian, peaceful assurance comes through fellowship with Jesus Christ, and through faith that that fellowship is eternal. Peace with Yehohwah (Jehovah) Father God involves your salvation experience, church attendance, prayer, praise, Bible reading.
Once you have all those things going for you, you should have some level of peace of mind in your life.
And yet, that “Jesus level” of peace is an even higher level still.
Jesus Christ’s “Do unto others” mission statement of Matthew 7:12 combined with a quote from President John F. Kennedy might read, “Ask not what others can do for you, but what you can do for others.” Christ lived his whole life in servitude to others, all the way to the cross.
Fulfilling our deeper level of “peace” doesn’t usually require us to go that far.
Teachers often go beyond merely covering what’s in the books.
Nurses often assist patients beyond their expected call of duty. Soldiers, policemen, firefighters, ambulance EMT’S put themselves at risk helping others.
Has God ever brought someone across your path who needs help? You felt a gentle tug inside, and a still, small voice whispering, “Help that person.” And you responded, “Here am I, Lord, Send me.” You obeyed Christ’s Holy Spirit working inside you, and in that moment you knew what that highest level of peace is all about.
We all, especially when it’s confirmed to us by that quickening of the Spirit, can help others, and find the ultimate peace! No matter what else is going on outside, there is peace in our sector of the world.
A brief prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ and Yehohwah (Jehovah) Father God, Thank you for that perfect, complete inner peace.
I will go where you want me to go, and do what you want me to do. You are my perfect guide, and the source of my peace.”
Vernon Maupin is co-pastor of Tabernacle of Praises with his wife, Pastor Doris Walters Maupin.