Jesus = 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)

These are the words of Jesus (let’s pause for a moment to recognize how insanely cool it is that we can read words spoken by Christ.) 

There’s a reason Jesus is called the Prince of Peace: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV). We find peace in Jesus, just as it was foretold in the Old Testament, and just as Jesus tells us in the New Testament.

Not only that, but we can have peace now (“in the world”). Because Jesus is bigger He has already overcome the world. Right now. We don’t have to wait for it. We don’t have to wait until Heaven. Peace now doesn’t mean we won’t have problems (tribulation). In fact, that’s probably why we can have peace now, because we will face tribulation. We will have both at one time, and that can only happen through Jesus. . . because it certainly can’t happen with my limited understanding.

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Holy Spirit = Peace

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said 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 14:26-27 ESV)

Here again are the words of Jesus. And He says that I have the Holy Spirit living in me, so I already have peace! And it’s real peace because it’s Jesus’ peace. I don’t always recognize it, but keeping my mind focused on and renewed in Christ makes me tap into that peace. I have peace in my heart, in my core, at my center, so I don’t need to be troubled or afraid.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

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Faith = Peace

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1 ESV)

If I have faith in God, if I believe that Jesus is my Savior, then I have the peace of the Prince of Peace.

If I have faith, the Holy Spirit lives in me and I have the peace of the Prince of Peace.

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Trust = Peace

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV)

If I have faith in God, then I trust Him.

If I trust God, then my mind is stayed on Him. My mind is focused on Him.

If my mind is focused on Him, I will have peace. Why? Because I will be grounded in the truth of who He is: strong, in control, everlasting. He’s not afraid of things like I am because He’s bigger than all things. He’s not worrying about things like I am because He’s in control of all things.

My mind is a powerful thing. It determines where my focus is placed. 

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 ESV)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 ESV)