Christian Living

In the Peace of Jesus

by Thomas Kirkpatrick
11/12/21
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“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

We are living in a time of intense distractions of our desired daily routine. We are in a spiritual war with ourselves, our neighbors, and the world around us. Somewhere this past week, I read something that made tremendous sense to me, and it was this, “without truth, there is no peace.” That is a simple statement, and none should argue against it. But there is an argument, and it comes from what the definition of truth is. Most of the world does not know the truth and therefore finds it hard to believe in anything. A loss of peace comes from this conflict of knowing the truth, as peace is not the absence of conflict but the absence of certainty. Certainty is the security of setting apart from the gang of half-truths and being sanctified by the author of truth, the Lord God Almighty. Peace is found when faith is exercised in the Savior Jesus Christ, whom we believe, and gives us peace with our Creator. It is the truth of our testimony.

There is no other way to have peace with God except through Jesus Christ. Why would there be another way to a positive destination? Many paths lead to a negative destination, and many follow it. There is only one path to God the Father, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for entry into God’s Kingdom with His blood sacrifice for our sinful ways. Jesus is holy and righteous, and we can stand in righteousness through sanctification by His Spirit. In the complex world filled with evil distractions, we must hold fast to our hope found in our Savior. “Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house--whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” (Hebrews 3:5-6)

Peace should not be determined by happiness. Happiness lives on in the moments of things going pleasantly. When an unpleasantness comes, happiness dissolves from the emotion. Peace is constant when the spirit is in harmony with the will of God, our Heavenly Father. Our relationship with God is secured by our relationship with Jesus, the only way to the Father. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

There are many paths to take through this world, but there are only two destinations in the spiritual world, just beyond the door of physical death. So, there are only one of two choices to make for our eternal destination. The choice we make is critical, as death seals our destination. All choices in life have a consequence, either good or bad, and depend on the primary choice of our eternal destination. To make the wrong primary choice can lead to eternal death or life, which can affect all other choices for working out, good or bad. The world cries for peace, and the primary choice determines if peace is found. All are sinners and deserving of death, but the right primary choice can bring eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Humanity was not created to be robotic and simple-minded. Humanity was created in the image of the Creator and, therefore, can reason and has a conscience. Diverse as that is, we can fall into doing our own thing. Our own thing can be okay if it’s in the context of the purpose we were created. A person who makes the right primary choice has an eternal purpose planned before creation to fulfill that will bring joy, purpose, and peace. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

In the overview of God’s plan and purpose, we are walking together with a common goal to achieve the plan and purpose of our Heavenly Father. As we walk together with the children of God, we also rejoice in the hope we have through Jesus Christ and the peace we share with our God. “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Being at peace with our Heavenly Father, with our Christian family, and with the love of God within us, we can also find peace with the unrighteous who practice evil towards us. Unlike them, we can repay their evil with the good of God’s Word. Our prayer is the Word of God will penetrate the depths of their hearts, changing the course of their life for the good of their future. Knowing that we did the right according to His word, we have peace with God and all men. “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:17-18)

Others will mistreat us and may try mental and physical harm towards us for our kindness to them. We will not be discouraged, as we have the security of our eternal perspective that after a little while, we’ll be there. Ours is to plant the seed of His truth by word and deed that God, who is the transformer of hearts, can do His work. Their resistance is a test to strengthen our faith that He will work all for our good. We are privileged to receive the discipline of a loving Heavenly Father who loves His children. “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:4-6)

Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. He is the counselor that leads to all truth revealing the Word of God we have studied and prayed through. He commands that we would do this. “You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” (Leviticus 20:7–8)

All have sinned before a Holy God, but the life of Jesus was sacrificed to pay our sin debt. His forgiveness has been given through our confession and repentance. His righteousness has been offered for our sanctification. All of this, as He loves us His creation. “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

In the love of God the Father, Jesus came in the likeness of man to deliver the gospel of the Kingdom of God that all might be saved from God’s wrath and find salvation in the Kingdom of God. This gospel is the truth that the world will be judged by, and the verdict depends on the primary choice made here in this world. Many reject the truth, as truth convicts one to accept or deny. The choice of humanity is clear either to accept the truth or accept a fatal outcome. Again, the choice they make brings a consequence, good or bad. A follower of Jesus receives the Holy Spirit, who seals them for the Kingdom of God and inheritance beyond any man's imagination. “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

The Christian life is never easy. Christians still live in an evil world filled with trials and tribulations. The Christian still must battle the great enemies, one of self, neighbors, and Satan himself. The power of the Holy Spirit also empowers the Christian to overcome the trials and tribulations, empowers the Christian to overcome the desire of the flesh, and empowers a Christian to share the good news of God’s Kingdom. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

Christians here in this world have not arrived yet in the Kingdom of God but are to bring the Kingdom here on earth. God is not wanting any of His creation to perish but desires all to return to Him in fellowship. He has given each one here in His family a charge of His love for everyone. We are to share the good news of Jesus’ ministry here, and as His disciple, share His truth by action and deed. He is sharing His love in us to all that will hear and listen. Christens are not spectators but are to go. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Jesus suffered the cross for all of humanity in the act of His love so they can find forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal salvation. The Christian is called to carry on Jesus’ mission of reconciliation until we, too, are home in the house of God’s Kingdom. Not all are evangelists, preachers, teachers, but people with different abilities can be used for God’s glory so others may see His truth in them. Oh, Christians live in the peace of Jesus and are the message of His Kingdom. “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:14-15)

Thomas N Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, September 10, 2020