"My peace I give to you"

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

One look at the news, and it is easy to become troubled over the situation in this world. Every day, there is the threat of war. Growing fear and anger in our country, as troubles in other countries which impact us at home, leave one weary. What are we to do?

This world is controlled by the enemy. Scripture foretells of the increasing hate, anger, and escalation in society, all by the hand of Satan. If you read the Bible, you can see the correlation between society and John's words in Revelation.

Thankfully, we should all take comfort that the church will be raptured before the world gets to its worst and the anti-Christ is exposed. This means the church, you, and I will be called to meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Transformed, we will be removed from the coming tribulation. Until that happens, we must remember we have been given the peace of Christ.

Jesus lives in us, and we are no longer spiritually a part of this world, although we remain in bodily form. The peace of Christ transcends all fear, worry, and doubt. Or at least it should. Anxiety is a product of the enemy. The image of being forgotten by the Lord, or that God really is not in control of all things, is a lie the enemy uses to produce the very things Christ told us not to have trouble or fear over anything.

God’s hand is already at work, and His wrath against a sinful people is in full swing. The sins, lack of morality, sexual sin, denying God, greed, and hate are all God’s judgment on human disobedience. Despite the wickedness around you, God is in control.

We are in a downward spiral with no idea where it will end, so we MUST trust in Christ. There is no other choice. In God is love for His obedient children. A love so deep that He sent His only Son to die for our sins while we were still sinners, just so we could be reunited with Him today (Romans 5:8).

Do not fear the one who robs and steals, lies and covets, murders and destroys, fear Him who can put the soul in Hell for eternity, that is not Satan, it is God. (Matthew 10:28) Trust in God, He who determined the end before the beginning, He who placed the stars in the heavens, He who controls all things. It is He who loves you with an eternal love and provides salvation to those who place their faith in the Son of God, Christ Jesus.

Do you know the love of God? Have you repented of your sins, asking for Salvation through the shed blood of the Lamb of God? Is your salvation secured? If your answer to these questions is no, seek Christ while there is time. Tomorrow may never come.

Grace and Peace.