"In Me You May Have Peace"

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

How many kinds of peace are there? Peace of mind, peace in your heart, Peace in your family. There is peace in our country, peace in other countries, world peace. So many kinds of peace, but one peace transcends all—the peace of Jesus Christ.

Unless you know Christ as your Savior, you will not understand what I mean. You see, the very thing Christ said in today’s verse is a holy truth. In Jesus, meaning in Salvation, Christ lives in us. We are spiritually no longer a part of this world, although we still live in it.

When Christ is your Savior, meaning there has been a supernatural changing of the heart. You professed your faith in Him as the Son of God, who rose from the dead defeating sin and death for all who place their faith in Him, and have repented of your sins, He lives in you. The peace of God overrides all things.

As we read today, Jesus told us that we will have troubles in this world, and we shall, but for those who place their faith in Christ Jesus, these troubles are relieved and replaced by Christ, who tells us that these things are passing, but your life with me is eternal. Nothing changes what Christ has assured us. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

You might say, well, that takes a lot of faith, but I tell you it takes very little. Jesus said about faith and what is needed to make mountains move s written in Matthew 17:20, “He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Have you ever seen a mustard seed? They are very tiny. Next time you are in the grocery store, look at them. They are a spice. A tiny seed robust in flavor for its size, faith is like that.

It is not believing like children believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, but an air of certainty that Christ has given you when He changed your heart, something only God could do. Faith is knowledge, and knowledge comes to us by grace and the written word of God. More often than not, it is the spoken word of God that opens the door for Christ to save those the Father has elected, meaning those whom God has chosen for salvation. Through the written word, our faith grows, as does our sanctification or holiness.

False teachers might make you believe God is like a genie, suggesting that if you do all the right things, He will bless you. This leads many to hell. You need not do anything but place your faith in the risen Son of God, turn from your sin in repentance, and there you will find the transcending peace found on the narrow path walking with Christ.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? If you do not, I urge you to ask Him into your heart today, choose life in Christ, and come to know the most incredible peace of all.

Grace and Peace, the Peace of Jesus, be with you always!