Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
No Knock-off Peace
Many years ago, I mailed a check to someone and it was never cashed. So I wrote another check and asked a family member to give it to her. The second check never cleared the bank either, so I finally gave up. I didn’t owe this gal any money, I simply wanted to bless her with a monetary gift. I was willing to give, but there was some hindrance to her receiving it.
Jesus wanted to give His disciples an important gift before He ascended to His Father. He said, “My own peace I give to you” (John 14:27 Weymouth). Notice that Jesus gave His own peace, which demonstrated that He wasn’t selfish or stingy. Today, Jesus continues to offer Christ followers His own Name-Brand peace. This precious peace isn’t a knock off — it‘s the real deal and it will last as long as you breathe and believe. It’s one thing to have head knowledge regarding this scripture, but it’s another thing to believe it for yourself with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Peace is a gift from Jesus but you have to accept it and put it into practice. In other words, cash the check!
“I leave the gift of peace with you — My peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but My perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts — instead, be courageous!” (TPT). We’re living in a world that offers pseudo peace. I encourage you to pour some time, study, and meditation into John 14:27. Find a translation of this verse that hits you square between the eyes and lands solidly in your heart and mind. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Here’s an uncomplicated motto that’s been around for awhile: Jesus said it, I believe it, and that settles it!
John 14:27 in the Amplified Bible states: “Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled]. We certainly have an active part to play in receiving and keeping our peace.
Sometimes we’re tempted to lose our peace; and sometimes we just flat-out lose it. I hate it when that happens. But at least I know where to go (God’s Word) and what to do (pray). Believers should always look at our difficulties, stresses, and heartaches from God’s perspective. He never scratches His head or wrings His hands wondering how to fix our problems. And that’s why we ought to keep our peace and trust Him. When you feel your peace slipping away, pray immediately. “I have courage in God’s presence, because I am sure that He hears me if I ask Him for anything that is according to His will” (1 John 5:14 GNT). It’s definitely God’s will for us to have peace, so boldly ask for your peace to be restored. Your life depends on it, so don’t try to get by without it!
The following scripture reminds me to get my act together when life gets turbulent: “The Lord goes before me; He will march with me; He will not fail me or let me go or forsake me; I will fear not, neither become broken in spirit — depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm (Deuteronomy 31:8 AMP). When the stormy waves are over your head, there’s a deepening and enriching comfort when you can experience the peace of Christ in your innermost soul.
The Key: Believers have been given the gift of peace and we are expected to cash it in.