Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Watchman Nee
Peace verses Anxiety
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6) because only then will “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). The absence of peace doesn’t allow the mind to operate as it should because it’s clouded by doubt and fear so Paul suggests, put “everything” in “prayer and supplication” but “with thanksgiving” because only then can the peace of God guard your and my hearts.
Receiving Peace
When Jesus was about to go the cross and die for sinners and then return to the Father, the disciples were highly anxious about it, so Jesus reassures them by giving them something they desperately needed; peace. He told them, “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). This is a permanent peace which is unlike the peace the world gives, which is shallow and only temporary. When Jesus gives you peace, it remains.
Peace over Fear
When Jesus had been crucified the apostles were in hiding for fear that they might be next so when Jesus comes to them after the resurrection, and when they don’t expect it, He says “Peace by with you” (John 20:19c) and another time “Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:26).
Let Peace Rule
Paul wrote to the Colossians to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Col 3:15) so we also need to let the peace of God rule in our hearts or in other words, if peace is ruling, it is reigning in our lives and fear is not sitting on the throne of our life. Think about this; we have been redeemed from the wrath of God, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). Our justification through Christ has lifted our previous condemnation (Rom8:1) so now we are at peace with God for there is no way to have the peace of God until you are first at peace with God.
Conclusion
If we don’t have peace of mind, worry and fear has a piece of our mind, and then we can’t operate in the normal way a Christian should operate. We need God’s peace that surpasses all human understanding; we should receive the peace that Jesus offers. We must choose peace over fear. And we must let peace rule our hearts and guard it for then we can show others this same peace that we’ve been given.
