Finding Peace through Jesus
No matter what happened in the past, is in the present, or will happen in the future– we need peace. Many people are trying to find peace during their trials. Even when they have everything they want, they still feel empty. In the depth of our hearts, we long for true peace. We must find it through Jesus, who alone is able to provide perfect peace.
Peace can be defined as “tranquillity, harmony, completion or security.” It can mean “prosperity” or “well-being.” The peace the world offers is an empty promise and can only bring temporary comfort, depending on the circumstances. It is fragile and can be shaken at any time. Worldly peace is an external peace.
Godly peace gives us an inner peace, a perfect peace that does not depend on circumstances. The peace of God is an eternal peace that surpasses understanding. The peace of God is the comforting of inner turmoil such as sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces that at war within us. Our freedom from the disturbances of life comes when we have truly found peace through God’s love in Jesus. That’s the reason we need to find peace with Jesus.
Our key scripture today is 1 Peter 3:11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. Peter quoted Psalm 34:14, a psalm of king David. It encourages how the church should live in harmony. It also says, v14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. I have 3 principles of how to find God’s peace.
- Turn away from evil.
That means to stop sinning, do not look back to our own habit of sin or the past sin or to indulge in our sin. Sin can separate us from God and rob our peace and Joy. Sin destroys peace. Sin can cause us more problems and difficulties that leads us without peace. It can hurt you and others. I am not saying this to condemn you or to make you feel guilty. I want to tell you what the bible says and the fact that we need to deal with our weakness.
How to turn from evil? For me, I need Jesus every day, to turn to Him every day. I acknowledge my wrongdoing by praying for repentance and trusting God that He hears me and He hears my prayers and will help me to fight the evil one.
I want to encourage everyone to acknowledge God and His mighty work on the cross and to take up the cross and follow Jesus. Fix our eyes on Him. Our minds on His will. Our actions to give Him glory. You will find peace within.
Continue 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. God loves and forgives sinners, but he hates sin because it is against His holiness. Isaiah 57:21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
To be full of peace with Christ, we must turn away from evil or wrongdoings. But we are not just to turn “away” when confronted with evil, we must also turn “toward” something. Godly people are called to turn toward doing good.
- Do good.
Have you heard a phrase “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”? Christians must not seek revenge. We move away from the hurt done to us. Believers must live in unity, in peace together and refuse to seek revenge. 1 Peter 3:9 says, Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Last time I parked my car at Hurstville station, a guy opened his door carelessly right in front of me and Eva. He bumped his door to my car. He looked at it, used his finger to touch the scratch and said sorry. He then walked away. I was so upset. Suddenly, my evil thought told me that if he didn’t care, why should I care? I should do the same to his car! Thanks God I didn’t indulge in my flesh to do sin. We turned away and moved our car instead.
We all have choices to make, to do good or to do evil. Christian must choose to do good, choose to be the light that shine before others, choose to be a spiritual and natural blessing to others. Brother and sister, God’s people are called to do good to make peace. God blesses people who are peace makers. Do you stir up trouble, or do you try to make peace?
When we do good, think well, and speak kindly, we can bring peace to ourselves and to others. Most of all, we glorify God and please Him. Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Have you done enough to bring peace to your family, your school, your work place, even to the church? I believe inner peace will come when we do according to God’s will. We do what Jesus said:
– Help the poor.
– Your giving will be in secret
– Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
– Love each other as Jesus have loved you
– Bless those who curse you.
– Pray for those who mistreat you
– Even turn other cheek if someone slaps you.
The last principle is..
- Seek peace and pursue it.
We may still get it wrong that we have simply received peace from God. Peace is something we need to actively seek and pursue; peace doesn’t just happen. We must make every effort” to bring peace. I encourage you today, seek peace until you find it. When peace is found, you must still pursue it, and don’t let it go! Don’t let anyone or anything take the peace of God from you.
Jesus gave these words to His disciples in His farewell message before his departure– John 14:27 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.Jesus leads us into perfect peace. He became the peacemaker between God and us by shedding his blood and death to pay the price for our sin. Romans 5:10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
God initiated the process and the way of salvation for us through Jesus. God is fighting for peace for all humanity, for us. It cost the life of Jesus to redeem us. Billy Graham said, “Christ alone can bring lasting peace – peace with God – peace among men and nations – and peace within our hearts.” Jesus says he will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from him.
Are you positioning yourself to get God’s peace through Jesus today?
Finding Peace with Jesus by Ps Kent Hemninrat, 19 November 2023