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"Know
Jesus - Know Peace"
Jesus
had a message of comfort for His disciples who were
very troubled because He was about to leave them to go
back to His Father in heaven.
His
words also bring much comfort in a time when so many
are suffering because of the terrible terrorist
attacks this week in the United States.
Listen
to Jesus: "These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will
have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world" (John 16:33 NKJV).
Make
no mistake about it:
“In
the world you will have tribulation.”
Why?
There is tribulation in the world today because we
live in a world in which sin has entered. With the entrance of sin into the world with Adam and Eve,
there also came consequences of suffering and death
(see Genesis 3).
There is tribulation in the world today because
the archenemy, Satan, is strong and active, and many
have chosen to submit to his rule.
We are warned in Scripture:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour"
(1 Peter 5:8).
Even
though there is tribulation in the world, note the
blessed promise of Jesus:
“In
Me you may have peace.”
Jesus’ promise was not that His followers
would be free from trials, but that in Him they could
have peace even in the midst of trials.
The peace found in Christ does not mean the
absence of trials on the outside, but it does mean a
quiet confidence within, regardless of circumstances,
people or things.
This peace is found in a right relationship
with God through His Son, Jesus.
When we submit to Christ in faith
(Hebrews 11:6), repentance
(2 Peter 3:9), confession
(Romans 10:9-10) and baptism
(Acts 22:16), we begin a new relationship with Christ.
As this relationship is nurtured through prayer
(1 Thessalonians 5:17), Bible study
(1 Thessalonians 2:13) and faithful living (1 John
1:7), we learn to walk by faith and not by sight (2
Corinthians 5:7), knowing that our Heavenly Father
cares for us and will cause all things– even the
most tragic things –to work out for our good (Romans
8:28).
Even
though there is tribulation in the world, Jesus says, “Be
of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Although the enemies of Christ – even Satan
himself – thought that they had defeated Jesus when
they crucified Him, it was through the death, burial
and resurrection of Christ that the victory was won by
Christ. Through
these things, which form the basis of the Gospel
(“good news”) message (1 Corinthians 15:1-4),
Jesus provided the way of salvation and ultimate
victory over Satan.
As a defeated enemy, Satan is trying to destroy
as many as he can.
However, those who submit to Christ will
overcome with Him.
Jesus’ followers are promised a place where
there will be no more tribulation: "And God will
wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be
no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be
no more pain, for the former things have passed
away" (Revelation 21:4).
Perhaps
you have seen the following message on a church sign:
“No Jesus; No Peace.
Know Jesus; Know Peace.”
Do
you know Him?
Know
Jesus (through faith and obedience) and you will know
His peace, even in a world of trouble.
May
God bless you and all of those who are hurting today.
David
A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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