Peace That Endures
J. Allen Blair
I don't know of any subject talked about more and experienced less than the subject of peace.We are living in a world torn by strife and disharmony, with very little understanding of what peace really is.During 3500 years of recorded history, more than 8000 peace treaties have been signed, but with only 268 years of peace.World peace will never be known until the Prince of Peace returns.God says, in Haggai 2:7, And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory.
This verse and hundreds of others throughout the Bible teach that the Messiah, the desire of all nations, will return.When He comes, what will take place on the earth?Look at Isaiah 2:4, And He shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.War will be forever abolished when the King of kings rules and reigns upon this earth.This verse depicts the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth: the reign of peace.But, we may be sure; there will be no world peace until Jesus Christ returns.
However, we can have inner peace, and it is God's desire that every one of His creatures experience and enjoy this wonderful peace He gives.It is innate within the heart of man to search for this peace."People are longing for the peace that only God can give.We can traverse the earth only to find people everywhere feverishly trying to find peace.Civilized and pagan, learned and unlearned, rich and poor--all find their hearts crying out for peace.Peace is never found in things, nor is it found in places or circumstances.It is found only and always in a Person.Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.The word rest could also be translated peace.Come unto me and I will give you peace.
In Ephesians 2:14, we read that He [Christ] is our peace.He made it, He preached it, His crucifixion is the grounds of it, His resurrection is the assurance of it, and Christ within us is the experience of it.Without this experience, His peace can never be known.What is this experience?Simply to invite Him into your life.When He comes in, immediately you will become heirs to the peace of God that passes all understanding.Peace is then our eternal possession.Like many possessions, it must be appropriated and utilized.Simply to have a possession without using it is of no value at all; but if one is saved by believing on Christ, he or she is the possessor of God's peace.
In Romans 5:1, we read, Therefore being justified by faith, we have (right now, present tense) peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.This, of course, is not true of those who have never received Christ.The Bible says, in Romans 3:17, The way of peace have they not known.They know only turmoil, turbulence, and trouble.Jesus said, in John 16:33, These things have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace.Peace is known only in Christ.To receive Christ involves not only the reception of Him, but also the commitment of our self to Him.Anyone who receives Christ is to commit himself to Christ.He then becomes more than Savior to that person, He is Master.
Many people desire peace, but not that which makes peace possible.They want peace, but only as long as it does not interfere with their present lifestyle.Others want peace, but only as long as it brings satisfaction for all their ambitious schemes.Few are concerned about the righteousness of God, without which there can be no peace.To say, "I believe on Jesus Christ" and to give no evidence of the righteousness of God within my life is blasphemy.You may say you have believed on Christ, and yet you wonder why you have no peace.It may be that you have not committed your life to the control of Christ.You have been making your own plans.You have been running your own life, rearing your children without the help of God, without the surrender to His Lordship.Those who experience best His marvelous peace are those who have resigned themselves to His will and plan.
Let me ask you, are you really enjoying God's peace at this moment?If you are not, something is wrong, for it is God's plan that every one of His people enjoy peace 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.Again, I say, if you are not enjoying His peace, something is wrong.If you are distressed and disturbed, without the equanimity God alone can provide, the fault is not with the Lord, it is with you.Either you have not been born again or, if you have, you are completely ignoring God's plan for your life.
You may be a child of God, walking in fellowship with the Lord but trudging through the darkest valley of your life, surrounded by serious and sorrowful circumstances, and yet, within the bosom of your own soul, you have perfect calmness and peace.This is not a mystery.God has made it clear in His Word.Jesus said, in John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.Who gives this peace?The Lord Jesus Christ who speaks of My peace.And, be sure, His peace is not satisfaction one day and dissatisfaction the next."It is an enduring peace within us that enables us to face life, no matter the circumstances.
Jesus said, My peace I give unto you.Have you received His peace by receiving Him?"If not, turn to Christ right now and say, "Jesus, come into my life and save me.I want this wonderful peace and I trust you for it."
J. Allen Blair
The Meaning of Accepting Jesus
The Bible is clear.A person who chooses to follow Jesus Christ must believe:
1. That God is, and that one is in need of being justified and is willing to turn from sin and follow God's principles.This is repentance.
2. That the individual cannot justify himself or herself.This is an acknowledgement of our inadequacy to save ourselves.
3. That belief in Jesus Christ is the only way to obtain peace with God.This is proclaiming Jesus to be Savior.
The evidence that a new birth has taken place is a changed life, committed to serving Jesus by following the principles given in the Bible.
This is a brief summary of biblical Christianity.If you have further questions, we will send you a message in print that will further clarify what you have to do to become a Christian.
Ask for Make Sure of Heaven when you write or call our office.
From the files of Dr. Blair:
Mastered by Greed
One of the world's worst sins is greed.What a wonderful world ours would be if no one broke the 10th commandment-Thou shalt not covet.There would be no need for locks on our doors.We could do away with our jails.To a large degree, people could live together happily.
Greed is usually spoken of as covetousness in the Bible, and is mentioned more often that any other sin.It is classified with the most abominable types of evil such as idolatry, adultery, and fornication.It is widely evident.People are not satisfied to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."One says, "Give me all the oil."Another, "I want all the coal."And others say, "Give me all the sugar," or, "all the wheat," or "all the steel."
If greed were removed from the nations, union strikes would be eliminated.No longer would there be friction between management and labor.The liquor and drug traffic would vanish.Stealing, murder, prostitution, and many other evils would disappear.
This sin is often ignored and we hear preaching against pride, adultery, profanity, gambling, and others, while the sin of all sins is being neglected.Many preachers are shooting at chipmunks when they should be shooting at elephants!
DON'T BRING LEFTOVERS
Gary Janes
Now, I enjoy leftovers and remember my dad going to the fridge late at night after a long day making sales calls.He didn't mind the beans, potatoes, and meat being cold.He just appreciated something good to eat.
Leftovers are good when we're hungry, but leftovers are not appropriate when we are in service for our Lord Jesus.The free message in print for this month is titled, Don't Bring Leftovers.This is about giving; so if you are touchy about your billfold, then maybe you shouldn't ask for it.But if you are serious about serving the Lord with your resources, then ask for a copy!