Today we examine the C of peace. Up to this point we have explored P-practicing God’s
Presence, E-engaging in wholesome thinking, A-accepting responsibility. Now we look at C-Christ centered
living.
One of the really neat things about the peace of God is that
it keeps our lives centered on the person of Christ. Throughout the Word of God Jesus is given various titles
that describe various aspects of His identity and character. For example, He is called the “Bread of
Life”, “the Word of God”, “the Great Shepherd”, “the Way”, “the Truth”, “the
Life”, etc..
One of the least discussed titles is found in Isaiah where
the prophet anticipates that Jesus will be called “the Prince of Peace.” This title is more than just an
honorific title with only ceremonial value. This title describes one of
Christ’s most wonderful characteristics—He is the ruler of peace. In other words, his domain is
peace. He rules and reigns through
the means of peace in our lives.
This is fundamental to the understanding of the Kingdom of God.
Basically, the Kingdom of God is the place where God rules
and reigns. Paul says in Romans
that the Kingdom of God isn’t a matter of eating and drinking, but of
righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, one of the three aspects of the Kingdom Paul
emphasizes is peace. Another way
of saying this would be: Peace is integral to walking in the Kingdom of
God. And the center of the
Kingdom is the King—Jesus the Prince of Peace.
So when we choose to walk in peace we are choosing to
experience the reality of Christ in our lives. Peace produces Christ-centered living and Christ-centered
thinking. We are no longer
controlled by the impulses and cravings of our flesh. Peace keeps our hearts and souls grounded on the reality of
Christ.
When the storms of life roll in as they always do we are
able to remain perfectly still and at rest. External stresses no longer control our inner attitudes and
emotions. Why? Christ now rules and reigns through his
peace.
I remember the night the rebels attacked the city of
Bujumbura where I was living. I
was over at a friend’s house for a Bible study on the other side of town. All
of the sudden…pop…pop…pop. A few bullets.
Then came the heavy machine gun fire followed by the mortar shells. Physically I began to shake and
tremble.
My friend told me just to stay put because it would soon pass. Three hours later the firefight had
greatly intensified and it was approaching 11 PM. It was really eerie and I was scared. All of the sudden I had a paradigm shift: wait a minute; the
rebels’ attack doesn’t control my internal sense of wellbeing. I stopped
panicking and greatly relaxed. I
remembered what the Lord had dropped in my heart, “the safest place you can
ever be is in the will of God.”
I knew moving
to Bujumbura had been the will of God. I had prayed and He had clearly directed
me there. Peace began to
rule and reign again as I focused on what Jesus had spoken to me. I began to
praise him even though the external noise intensified.
To my friend’s disbelief I announced that I was driving
home. I jumped in my car and drove
across the city at 11-something in the evening. Soldiers were everywhere shooting into the hills. I’m not saying it was smart. I’m just saying I had peace in the
midst of the storm.
Peace enables us to focus on the voice of Christ in our storms. The winds can
be howling, the waves pounding, and the boat be in serious trouble, yet Jesus
is sound asleep in the stern.
Why? He knew His Father had
said that they were going to cross to the other side. He had peace. So he wakes up, looks at the disciples in disbelief and
releases the inner reality of His peace externally and soon the waves are perfectly still and winds die
down. Everyone is in shock—except Jesus. He says, where is your faith? In other words, don’t you believe my
word? He had told them they were
going to the other side.
And so are we.
Peace is critical to keeping Jesus and His voice central in our
storms.
No comments:
Post a Comment