Encouragement

---

The Peace of Christ
Jim Scorzelli



Robed and with steaming coffee mug in hand, I walk out onto my backyard deck in the chill of an early spring dawn. The only sounds are the gentle undulating hiss of wind swept pines trees and vibrating purr of our cat, Kaji, who has followed me out. Somewhere distant a dog barks its eagerness to begin the day’s adventures.

While I breathe in the serenity of my surroundings, I cannot help but ponder the battles that rage within the hearts and minds of many whom I know and love, and no doubt countless others. Peace is at the core of what every human craves, what everyone strives to work toward. Why is it, then, that so many seem to be at war with the world, and with themselves? Perhaps they struggle needlessly because they do not know the peace that is an amazing and unfathomable consequence of a relationship with Jesus the Christ.

Jesus makes an astonishing statement in John 14. After telling his disciples that the Holy Spirit will be sent to teach and remind them of everything they have learned, he says, “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.” Clearly, the Holy Spirit is the catalyst for true and lasting peace.
Why does peace elude even the Spirit-imbued Christian? One source of inner turmoil might be an unhealed wound of maltreatment. Some years ago I was abruptly terminated from my position as head of the electronics department at a technical college. It had become clear to the provost I was unhappy there and was told frankly that “this was just not working out.” Shock, fear and self doubt soon twisted and hardened into razor sharp anger. In my tormented mind I selfishly thought, How dare they fire me!

The Holy Spirit laid it upon my heart that I had nothing to fear if I would cling to Jesus’ promises through the ordeal. During this wilderness experience my anger melted and, as an internal peace began to take hold, I was able to forgive my former employer. As it turned out, losing that job eventually led to a very rewarding position elsewhere, further confirming for me the reality of God’s providential sovereignty.

Sometimes, while the forgiveness granted by Jesus’ atoning sacrifice is acknowledged, wounds of guilt still bleed because that forgiveness has not been allowed to seep into the heart. The Psalmist points out “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Full of grace, God perfectly applies “forgive and forget” to our sins as his adopted sons and daughters. To our worldly minds this proposition seems too good to be true because our human experience dictates otherwise. Always quick to sow and nurture seeds of doubt, Satan is pleased when we find ourselves guilt-ridden about sin that has already been forgiven. Rather than give him a foothold, we can cling instead to God’s promise spoken through the Apostle Paul that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Another peace-thwarting barrier is unconfessed sin. There is the story of a man who, in his turbulent teenage years, killed a person just to see what it would be like. The police questioned him but, because there was no evidence that would lead to a conviction, he was released. Twenty-two years later the man became a Christian. While most embrace the joy of their salvation at this life changing event, this man slipped into a darkening cloud of misery as the Holy Spirit began to reveal the stain of that long ago sin. Finally, no longer able or willing to endure his secret guilt, he turned himself in, confessed his crime and was sentenced to many years in prison. Even in that restrictive and often chaotic environment, he now enjoys a deeply ensconced peace he has never before known. The Apostle John wrote, “If we confess our sins, [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Spirit fed peace is attainable irrespective of circumstances or location.
Perhaps one’s peace is derived from external things. A good book, a satisfying meal or a serene environment may provide a measure of peace, but these shallow imitations are merely emotional and they swiftly evaporate once the experience is over. As sojourners in a restless and violent world, our hearts are skewered by horrifying news of human suffering, often on a massive and incomprehensible scale. These events crush any peace we may have created for ourselves, and ultimately no amount of books, meals or serene environments can fully repair the damage.

There is only one source of authentic and enduring peace. Jesus lovingly implores us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The peace of Christ transcends all understanding, transcending even the heart rending trials and tear soaked storms we must endure in this life. Run into the arms of the One who lovingly knit you together and who aches to embrace you. In Christ we surely find rest and peace now and forevermore!



Jim Scorzelli has served as elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher at Crestwood Church, and has completed his first Young Adult novel, “Double-Edged Blade” published by Tate Publishing. Jim and his wife, Joanne, live near Richmond, Virginia.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR