PEACE TODAY

People and events can so easily destroy our peace in today’s world.

We don't need to 'find' something that we haven't lost - don't let other people destroy your peace telling you how you should live your faith or what new doctrine you should be following. Stick closely to the Catholic Church, Jesus and the Sacraments so that you may not be easily swayed by every new doctrine.

The Bible says: “People will say to you, 'Look! There he is!' or 'Look! Here he is!' But don't go and chase after him.” Luke 17:23 NIV

Luke 17:21 says: “nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. Luke 21:8

At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.’. Mark 13:21

The sense is, it shall be said by one or another; Christ is in such a place, or he is in such a place, and he will quickly appear, and deliver the people of the Jews out of all their distresses and calamities by the Romans; the meaning is, give no credit to them; as if Christ was come again in person, and was in such a place, do not go along with them, where they direct, as into the desert, or into the secret chambers; for to follow them will be very dangerous, of bad consequence, as well as vain and fruitless. Go not after them nor follow them: the last clause, "nor follow them"

In Acts 5:36, it says, “Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.”

“For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.” Matthew 24:5

“As for those who seemed to be important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance--those men added nothing to my message.” Galatians 2:6

Many false Christs, according to Josephus, appeared about that time, attempting to lead away the people

When Jesus Christ shall come to judge the world, sinners will be found altogether regardless; for in like manner the sinners of every age go on securely in their evil ways, and remember not their latter end. But wherever the wicked are, who are marked for eternal ruin, they shall be found by the judgments of God.

And that is why we should keep our hearts and minds on Jesus and His Word.

Rely on God’s peace: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God - The peace which God gives. The peace here particularly referred to is that which is felt when we have no anxious care about the supply of our needs, and when we go confidently and commit everything into the hands of God. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee;" Isiah 26:3

Which passeth all understanding - That is, which surpasses all that people had conceived or imagined. The expression is one that denotes that the peace imparted is of the highest possible kind.

The Christian, committing his way to God, and feeling that he will order all things aright, has a peace which is nowhere else known. Nothing else will furnish it but faith. No confidence that a man can have in his own powers; no reliance on his own plans or on the promises or fidelity of his fellow-men, and no calculations which he can make on the course of events, can impart such peace to the soul as simple confidence in God.

Shall keep your hearts and minds - That is, shall keep them from anxiety and agitation. The idea is, that by thus making our requests known to God, and going to him in view of all our trials and wants, the mind would be preserved from distressing anxiety.

Through Christ Jesus - By his agency, or intervention. It is only in him that the mind can be preserved in peace. It is not by mere confidence in God, or by mere prayer, but it is by confidence in God as he is revealed through the Redeemer, and by faith in him. Paul never lost sight of the truth that all the security and happiness of a believer were to be traced to the Saviour.

If we have burdens lay them before the Lord at the Cross.

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:24

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens. Selah Psalm 68:19

Jesus invites us to give our burdens to Him.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee; i.e. trust thy soul and concerns to him, and he will carry both thyself and thy load.

Comments

  1. I once was in attendance at a talk given by Elisabeth Elliot and always have remembered a few of the nuggets. One is, "give Him all your burdens, like this (raising her hands up as though holding for instance a large basket) physically do this and say, here Lord, please help me carry this, it is too heavy to carry alone."

    I still do this. It makes a difference!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's a lovely thought and practice. :-)

    ReplyDelete

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